Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Chef Bernadette Revonna Yancy was born June 24, 1967 in Beckley, WV, she was the daughter of the late Roger Carnell Pemberton and Nancy Paulette Yancy.

Bernadette was raised and educated in Detroit, MI, where she remained until she graduated from Kettering High School in 1985. After graduating, Bernadette moved to Virginia Beach, VA and attended Mansfield School of Business. In 1989,

Bernadette decided to pursue a career in the field of culinary arts. So, she began her training at the Seafarers International Union in Piney Point, MD. It was there at SIU, that she learned how to be a chef as well as an able Seaman. Armed with her Merchant Mariner Credentials, she took to the seas on various merchant vessels working as a cook. She perfected her craft and began to move along in her career. Ultimately, Bernadette retired as Chief Stewart with 24 years of service as a Merchant Mariner.

Bernadette loved her family and spent time with her nieces and nephews. She was always there whenever anyone was in
need. She was strong and courageous and pursued her dreams with passion. At times of stress, she loved to paint and do crossword puzzles to calm her nerves. She loved to dance to Reggae and Afrobeats and loved a good deep conversation. Bernadette, proud to be an American Indian, possessed a profound knowledge of Indigenous Aboriginal American Indian History.

Bernadette was kind, considerate, generous, courageous and a deep thinker. She always had good words of advice if you were willing to listen. She made Jacksonville, FL her home until her passing Monday, November 13, 2023.

Bernadette loved all and was loved by all her family and friends. She will be deeply missed!

Bernadette leaves behind a sister, Screatha Yancy; three brothers, Roger Yancy, Thomas Yancy and Rajuan Yancy; 10 nieces, Shanay Yancy, Tamara Coleman, Jessica Nichols, Breanna Yancy, Gabriel Yancy, Ahsiral Yancy, Azariyah Yancy, Ashira Yancy and Akasha Yancy; 3 nephews, Thomas Yancy Jr., I’Dreez Yancy and Amir Yancy and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins under the Yancy and Pemberton families. She loved you all!

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Friday, December 1, 2023 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior to the funeral service.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.