Bernice Marie Glore Humbles, 85, left this earthly life in peace and tranquility on January 29, 2012, 4:22 p.m.

Bernice was a beautiful, compassionate, giving and loveable lady. Bernice found enjoyment in bringing joy to others with her warm heart and glowing smile radiating like beams of sunshine warming all of those around her.

After working several downtown jobs during the forties through the eighties, Bernice became the First African American rural mail carrier in the Paducah area. She loved her mail patrons and treated them like family. She often used her own funds to buy cards and magazines to the lonely ones, and placed them in their mailboxes because they never received mail. Bernice received a letter of commendation for assisting an elderly couple no longer able to care for themselves, helping them to re-unite with their distant daughter. After comforting and assisting several of her elderly route patrons, Bernice earned the highest postal service meritous award, the Postal Service Superior Achievement Award. Postmaster Ver Weyst stated "She is one of our exceptional employees who has established an excellent relationship with her customers. She looks out especially for the older people on her route."

Her husband, Gladman Humbles, is appreciative for sharing a sweet life with Bernice for 38 years. Preceding her in death were her beloved parents, Theodore and Marie Glore, two brothers, Theodore Jr. and James, and a former husband Charles L. Patterson.

Surviving are sons, Charles Patterson, Jr., Roy L. (Lelia) Patterson, James E. (Helen) Patterson, John Humbles, and Christopher Humbles; daughters, Cathy (Michael) Lewis, Joan (Chris) Bombardier, Jana Shobe, and Cassandra (Herman) Walker; sisters, Marylyn Henderson, Maxine Murrah, Drusilla (Jonnie) Nailing, and Wilma (Felix) King; grandchildren, Chrystal Eaves, James Patterson, Jr., Morris R. Patterson, Ester Patterson, Dr. Andrew Patterson, Chyree and Tommy Batton, Jhana Waddell, Makalya Lewis, Marc and Eric Jagoe, Alex and Avery Shobe. Six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Bernice leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends who loved her and appreciated her many gifts to humanity.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member, located at 721 Washington Street, Paducah, KY 42003, with Pastor Roy L. Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah.

There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations are made to: Chronic Disease Fund; 6900 Dallas Parkway Suite #200, Plano, TX 75024.