Bernice Archibald

Bernice Agatha Crowe was born in the Bronx, New York, on November 8, 1935, to Vincent Adolphus Crowe, Sr., and Ramona Maria Crowe. She was a lifelong Bronx resident. She passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 90. 

She was the second of five children, and her siblings, Gloria, Vincent Jr., Michael, and Phillip, all predeceased her. Bernice attended P.S. 42 and later Walton High School. On December 8, 1956, she married Joseph Archibald, and together they built a family that became the center of her life. They raised eight children: Josephine, Bernice, Kim, Emanuel, Darren, Joseph, Judithann, and Ramona. 

On May 15, 1974, Bernice lost her husband, Joseph Archibald. She was 39 years old at the time, widowed far too young, and she carried that responsibility forward for more than 51 years, with strength, perseverance, and devotion to family. 

Over the course of her life, Bernice endured the loss of four of her children: Darren, Kim, Bernice, and Joseph. She is survived by her children, Josephine Gervais and her husband, Gabriel; Emanuel and his wife, Yvonne; Judithann; and Ramona Lewis and her husband, Leron. She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. 

Before her own children were born, Bernice raised her nephew, Allan Crowe, who lived with her and grew up as part of the family. He remains, in every meaningful way, an older brother to her children. Bernice also shared a close and loving bond with Allan's wife, Marlene, and Juanita, the Mother of two of his children. Bernice was a member of Bronx Christian Charismatic Prayer Fellowship Inc. 

After raising all her children to adulthood, she worked as a cook at a senior citizen center and later became a certified home attendant, serving in that role for several years. Bernice was known not only for her resilience but also for her sweet and loving nature and her great sense of humor. She could laugh, make others laugh, and lighten the moment, even through hardship. Bernice Agatha Archibald lived a long life defined by responsibility, endurance, humor, faith, and deep commitment to family. She will be remembered with love and gratitude by all who knew her. 

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