Bernice L. McMahon, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2007, after a long illness. She was born on July 23, 1917, at Lecta, Ohio, the daughter of Marcus R. and Nola Notter Massie. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, L. Everett McMahon, on February 28, 1992, and an infant brother, James Leon Massie. A son, Neil McMahon and his wife Shirley, and a daughter, Dottie Chestnut and her husband Jim, survive Bernice. Other survivors include sisters, Maebelle Pope and Wanda Withrow; grandchildren, Ann Sickels, Pam Price and her husband David, and Chris Chestnut; great-grandchildren, Leslie Sickels, Brad Price, and Eric Price; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bernice and her late husband owned and operated Central Supply Company from 1948 until their retirement in 1984. She was a 72-year member of the Waterloo Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #447. She was also a member of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, a past president of the Gallipolis Business and Professional Women's Club, a member of the Swan Creek Grange, and the first woman president of the Gallipolis Retail Merchants. A member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Bernice was in the Abigail Circle and was involved in numerous church activities including serving as treasurer of the Memorial Committee for many years. She served 12 years on the Athens District United Methodist Women's Society of Christian Service, four of which she was president.
Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, and reading. She also loved playing bridge and other card games with friends. While Bernice enjoyed her career as a business woman and was rewarded by the time spent doing church and community work, her family was most important to her.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. On Monday, February 5, 2007, at McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, 420 First Ave., Gallipolis. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, February 4, from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and 6:00-8:00 P.M. Eastern Star Services will be conducted at 4:00 P.M. On Sunday by the Waterloo Order Chapter #447. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 600 Second Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631. Concolences may be e-mailed to www.timeformemory.com/mm.
