Bernice Brack Memorial Service at the King Center in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 26

A memorial service for Bernice Brack, SAA membership and meeting services coordinator, is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002, at the King Center in Atlanta. The service is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr, National Historic Site, located at 450 Auburn Ave, NE.

Cynthia Patterson Lewis, archives director of the King Library and Archives, writes, "Perhaps we can find some solace in our memories and in knowing that Bernice's vivacity and resplendence have enhanced and made a difference for hundreds of archives and archivists. Such is the wondrous gift she leaves us. I will endeavor to document that."

For more information, contact Cynthia Patterson Lewis or Elaine Hall at ehall@thekingcenter.org.

A memorial service for Bernice was held in Chicago on Nov. 18. All SAA staff were present as were numerous SAA members. Her obituary from the memorial service bulletin is printed below.

Bernice's family may be reached at the following address:

Enid Mitchell (Bernice's second oldest daughter)
810 Woodbrock Way
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
770/822-2128

The family has asked that anyone wishing to make a contribution in Bernice's name do so to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).

Obituary

Bernice Elaine Brack was born in Winona, Mississippi, on May 23, 1939, as the youngest of six children, to Elbert and Evie Burch.

She attended and graduated Manley High School.

On Jan. 11, 1958, she was joined in holy matrimony to Semiel Edward Brack Sr., from this union six children were born.
Bernice worked at the Society of American Archivists for twenty-three years, as Membership and Meeting Services Coordinator. She also worked for Mitchell Cobey Catering. She enjoyed catering parties attended by the former President Clinton, Johnnie Cochran, and many other celebrities.

Bernice is survived by her six children. Edrea (Zachary), Enid (William), Semiel Jr. (Tina), Erin, Sean (Laura), and Sergio (Takeda); thirteen grandchildren, Maia, Roberto, Marcus, Maria, Semiel III, Jod, Samuel, Deja, Jean, Tesha, Sergio Jr., Billy IV, Kaila and one great-granddaughter, Amber. A host of nieces, nephews, family and friends who loved her.