Bernita Earlene Brown McCormick, 84, of Sparta, passed away Nov. 23, 2021, at her daughter’s residence, surrounded by family.
Mrs. McCormick was born Aug. 8, 1937, in Pleasant Hill, to Woodrow Brown and Nellie Mae Brown. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in Sparta.
Mrs. McCormick was a stay-at-home mom who loved to meet her children at the door when they got home from school with fresh baked goods; she was fondly remembered for her pecan tarts and old-fashioned fudge. She cooked every meal for her family while the children were in school and was quite famous for her fried chicken and salmon patties.
She was a military wife who travelled with her husband, Jim, around the world during his 20-year career with the United States Air Force. When they retired, in 1972, they moved back to Jim’s hometown, in Sparta, and bought their new house, which she still called home 49 years later. After Jim passed, she learned how to use a tablet to pass the time and spent countless hours listening to gospel music and became quite an enthusiast of Paparazzi jewelry sales on Facebook.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. McCormick was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Eual McCormick; her sister, Brenda Brown Norris, who had resided in Crossville; her brother, Bobby Brown, who had resided in Crossville; and her sister-in-law, Rama Jean McCormick, who had resided in Sparta.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, James Terry and Jeri Lynn McCormick, of Sparta, Robert Eual and Yvette McCormick, of Sparta; her daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa Ann and Kevin Richards, of Sparta, Sandra Jo and Todd Bohannon, of Sparta; five grandchildren, Brandon (Cody) Richards, Katie (Dustin) Walker, Taylor McCormick, Cole Bohannon, Austin Bohannon; four great-grandchildren, Treston and Levi Walker, Abilene Richards, Avalee Conley; sister-in-law, Illa McCormick McCaskey, of Sparta; brothers-in-law, Bobby (Betty) McCormick, of Murfreesboro, Bill (Carolyn) McCormick, of Sparta; and a numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was 2 p.m., Nov. 28, 2021, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Lost Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery. Bro. David Wayne Copeland officiated.
Pallbearers were Brandon Richards, Cole Bohannon, Austin Bohannon, Dustin Walker, Greg McCaskey, and Dewain McCormick.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
