Bernice "Bernie" Amerson

Bernice "Bernie" Amerson was born to Pleasant Jack and Thelmer Kirkland Amerson on January 7, 1928. He went to be with the Lord on February 9, 2025, at the blessed age of 97. Mr. Amerson died peacefully at home in the care of his daughter, Wanda. She and his granddaughter, Carrie Jean, helped him through his health and medical battles of the last few years.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his son, Wayne J. Amerson; his wife of nearly 70 years, Martha Taylor Amerson; his daughter, Debra A. Hacking; and a great-grandson, Jacob Wayne Piland.

He is survived by his daughter, Wanda A. Lamb (Douglas); five grandchildren, Jackie D. Lamb, Carrie Jean Lamb, Jennifer L. Piland (Eric), Paula L. Powell (Mike), and Wende L. Standridge (Tom); seven great grandchildren, Brenda W. Johnson (Andrew), Nicole W. Head (Doc), Heather Lamb Smith (Caleb), Debbra S. Clark (Lane), Caitlin J. Standridge, Guy Wayne Standridge, and adopted through love, Megan Williford; nine great great grandchildren, Ava, Arya, Eli, McKenzie, Aubrey, Ivoree, Olivia, Landon, and adopted through love, Asher.

Bernice graduated Junior High School of Walton County on April 21, 1944, and Ponce de Leon High School on May 22, 1946. On May 29, 1946, he entered the Selective Training and Service Act for the United States Army. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. During this time, he met Martha Jean Taylor. He later moved to Vera Beach where he was employed by The Kilgore Seed Company. In December 1949, he married Martha Jean Taylor. During the years to come, they had three children, Wanda, Debra, and Wayne. Bernice also had multiple jobs, all in the field of agricultural and farming supplies. Those moves eventually brought him to Pensacola. Later, he and the family moved to Cottage Hill in Cantonement, where he later worked at Monsanto/Chem-Strand. He retired after many years. After Martha retired from the Escambia County School Transportation, they moved to Holmes County in 2000. They were later welcomed into the family of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and attended lovingly until God took them by the hand and led them home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, Florida, with Pastor Dale Paul officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Committal services will follow at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.