Early Life
The late Bernice Culmore was born on January 1st 1943, to Carnatie Hamer and Ed Randal. She was the 4th of 5 children. She was a loving child who enjoyed spending time with her siblings and cousins. She was a sister to Odis Hamer, the late Denis Hamer, the late Vernice Mayweather and Opal Willams.
Education and Profession
Bernice graduated from Sumner Highschool in the Ville neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri in 1961 where she was an exemplary student and excelled in multiple disciplines of dance. After graduation she attended nursing school, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1962. In the same year same year, she began her professional career at St. Lukes Hospital working on the floor. She enjoyed providing bedside care, however her true calling was in the Operating Room where she further developed her skills as a scrub nurse assisting in surgeries of various disciplines. In 1980 she furthered her nursing studies resulting in her recognition as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Her nursing studies culminated in obtaining her Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Bernice often spoke highly of her time in the O.R. at St. Lukes and told stories of how the days were challenging but equally rewarding. She continued to work in the O.R. at St. Lukes East until it closed, and she transitioned the St. Lukes West campus in Town & Country, Missouri where she retired in 1988.
Marriage and Family
On August 27th 1965, she married her beloved husband, Maxwell J. Culmore Sr. Their marriage was rooted in faith and mutual commitment to each other. Together they built a loving home where they raised a family. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Maxwell Sr. and son Byron Culmore. She is survived by her sons Maxwell J. Culmore Jr. and Joseph A. Culmore (Judy Wang'ondu), her grandchildren Brittney M. Bentil (Ben Bentil) and Brandon J. Culmore (Morgan Culmore) and her great-grandchildren Barry Bentil and Jordan Culmore.
Religion and Faith
The late Bernice was a devout follower of the Roman Catholic Church educating and raising her children in the same faith. Initially as a family they practiced their faith at Nativity Parish in North St. Louis and subsequently following the congregation as the parishes in the archdiocese merged though the years. She regularly attended mass and volunteered with St Vincent DePaul until her husband's illness made it too challenging, however she never strayed from her faith.
Legacy
Bernice will be remembered as a devoted mother and a compassionate caretaker. In addition to her biological family, she viewed her friends and neighbors as extended family and loved nothing more than to bless us all with food. We will all cherish those meals, cookies, pies and cakes.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Bernice Hamer Culmore, please visit our floral store.