Bernice Short Ransom

Mother Bernice Ransom, 86, departed this life Monday December 31, 2018 in Columbia. She was the wife of Chancie J. Ransom, the mother of Mychal J. Thomas, Margie J McNeil-Young, Gale L. Thomas, Gloria A. Thomas, Jacqueline M. Thomas-Foggie and Kathy M. Thomas Vandroff.

Wake services are scheduled to be held at the Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel, Marion Sunday January 6, 2019 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm. Effingham Chapter # 326 OES will be in charge of rites.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Mullins on Monday January 7, 2019 at 12:00 Noon. She will be laid to rest in the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins.

~ Life Reflections ~

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Psalm 23:4

Mrs. Bernice Short Ransom age 86, was born April 20, 1932 in Dillon, SC to the late Ms. Lula Short. She was the granddaughter of the late Mrs. Annie Short. She departed this life, surrounded by her family, on Monday December 31, 2018 at 10:23pm, in Columbia, SC. She was preceded in death by her sister Agnes and brother Gerald. She attended and graduated from the Dillon County School District. On May 30, 1980 she married Chancie J. Ransom. 

Bernice moved from Dillon to Mullins, SC early in her life. She was a dedicated professional who loved helping and serving others within the community. She found her true passion as a successful caterer for many years. She also worked for Mullins School District 2, Marion County DSS as a Social Worker, Marvel Lamp, Russell Stovers, and Sunny Acres Nursing Home. Bernice was very active with local political elections and community events. She served as the Marion County AARP President and was also an active member of the local NAACP Organization. 

Bernice was an active member of the Historical Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. She served on many church committees, to include, Head of the Kitchen Committee, Nurses Guild, Church Anniversary Committee, as well as, the Pastors Anniversary Committee until her health declined. She served as an Associate Matron with the Star of Effingham #326 Order of Eastern Star. She also was an active member of the Zeta Chapter #1 Mystic Order of Golden Eagles and the Tent. 

Bernice lived her life to the fullest and touched the lives of many. She loved surrounding herself with people and she believed in sharing with others. Whether you were in the grocery store and needed help paying for your groceries or called her on the phone with a problem. She would do all she could to help someone… Even if it meant… Giving her last. While she enjoyed cooking for others she also loved planting flowers and watching them grow. She was very meticulous and a true perfectionist in everything she touched. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially those who remember her infectious laughter as she was playfully saying “You joking! Don’t try to fool me now!” She will also be missed by her pleasant demeanor and beautiful smile. Bernice loved her family. She always wanted a big one so she could have younger children around to raise and mold for the future. Her husband and children to include her grands, great grands, and so on, meant the world to her. She was a dedicated and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, Grammy, friend and confidante. 

A strong believer in family, Bernice is survived by her loving husband of 38 ½ years: Chancie J. Ransom of the home; six children: Mychal (Patricia) Thomas of Marietta, GA, Margie (Myron) McNeil-Young of (Philadelphia, PA), Gale Thomas of Fayetteville, NC, Gloria Thomas of Columbia, SC, Jacqueline (Kenneth) Townes-Foggie of Columbia, SC and Kathy Thomas Vandroff of Clayton, NC; ten grandchildren: Marquita McNeil of Atlanta, GA, DeLona Handy of Columbia, SC, Ebony Gerald of Roselle, NJ, O’Shea Fladger of Ft. Worth, TX, Natassia Fielder of Fayetteville, NC, Darrien Thomas Evans of Marietta, GA, Latoya Fladger of Raleigh, NC, Re’Jeana Townes of Columbia, SC, Brittany Thomas of Atlanta, GA, and JonMychal Townes of Columbia, SC; nineteen  great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Shirley (Robert) Davis of Marion, SC, Kathleen Fogan Rose of Charlotte, NC, Renee (Chris) of New Braunfels, TX; four brothers-in-law: Gary (Helen) of Marion, SC, George Fogan of Marion, SC, Jack (Karyle) Fogan of Upper Marlboro, MD, Carl (Linda) Fogan of Marion, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.

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