Great, great grandma ready to ring in 2019

Bernice P. Hooks Nicklas was born Dec. 23, 1917 in Adrian, Pa., the last child born in a family of 12 children. Her parents were 45 and 50 years old and by the time she was born she was already an aunt! Bernice (pictured) wasn’t a very healthy child, but prayers and a lot of love pulled her through. 

She was the only child to have a doctor deliver her, although it was still at home, and she was also the only one to graduate from high school and continue her education. Bernice became a beautician and still has a license. Bernice has always said, “You can wear the nicest clothes, but they don’t look very nice if your hair isn’t combed.”

 Bernice moved from Butler, Pa., where she lived for more than 70 years, to Dallas to be near her only child, Carolyn Johnson, in October of 2015. She resides in Lake Highlands near her daughter and son-in-law, Tim, and enjoys going to church, shopping, cooking and sewing. 

Last year’s birthday was quite the celebration, but this year, Bernice has experienced a couple of health setbacks, most recently a broken hip. So, this year’s birthday and Christmas will be more low key. Bernice loves talking with friends and family on the phone and does her best to send cards for important occasions. She is also looking forward to meeting her newest great granddaughter, Katharine Margaret, and also once again seeing great grandson, Teddy, and her granddaughter Elizabeth and her husband, Chris, hopefully this coming spring. Happy 101st Birthday, Bernice!