Bernice Yates Tufts

Bernice Ingram Yates Tufts, 87, of Bainbridge, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kyle Killough officiating. Interment will be at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery with Wiley Griffin, Steve Culverson, Stevens Culverson, Landen Bryant, Hayden Godwin, and Randyl Godwin serving as active pallbearers. Bernice’s nephews (Yates & Ingram) and mothers of all “her kids” will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Recovery Methodist Church, 307 Recovery Road, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Bernice, affectionately known as Aunt Bernice and MeMe, was a special part of many lives. Though she never had children of her own, she opened her heart and home to many over the years, caring for them as if they were hers. She always called them “her kids,” and that never changed, even as they grew into adults. Her love for family and the people around her showed in the many ways she looked after them.

A member of Recovery Methodist Church, Bernice placed great importance on her faith and her church family. She took great care of her home and yard, keeping everything neat, orderly, and just the way she liked it. Her yard was filled with flowers, and inside, everything had its place. Bernice had her own way of doing things, and there wasn't much room for deviation! She was also a wonderful cook who could prepare just about anything and enjoyed having good food to share. She believed in looking her best and always dressed to the nines.

Bernice loved being in the know. She had a knack for the details and kept the phone lines hot sharing news. Rest assured if you had news and didn’t share, you would be in BIG trouble.

Survivors include her daughter, Beverly Burke; her grandchildren, Earl, Jeremy & Mary Beth, and Ann Marie; her great-grandchild, Leah; and many nieces & nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Robert & Ethel Williams Ingram; the love of her life for 43 years, Donnie Yates; her husband of 5 years, Wayne Tufts; and her siblings, C.H. Ingram, Annis Lanelle Griffin, David Lee Ingram, Eunice Howell, Bobby Carl Ingram, and Mickey Blocker.

Bernice’s family would like to extend special thanks to Memorial Manor and Georgia Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.