Bernice Bodenstein Obituary

Bernice Bodenstein, beloved mother and cherished friend, passed away on July 16, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on May 10, 1937, in Pearson, Georgia, she later made her loving home in Madison, Florida, where she touched the lives of those around her with kindness and warmth.
Bernice proudly held a high school diploma and spent many fulfilling years as a teller in the banking industry, a role that allowed her to connect with her community and serve others. Those who knew her will remember her vibrant spirit and her passions that brought joy to her heart. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Harrison and Mildred Guess, sisters Marie Selph and Jo Evelyn Wesson, and her brother Gene Guess. A devoted mother, Bernice leaves behind her daughters, Debbie King (Jimmy), Lynn Stewart (Jeff), seven grandchildren, Nikki Rogers, (Derrick), Kyle King (Katelyn), Zach Stewart, Shelby Stewart, Brayden Stewart, Grayson Stewart, and Peyton Stewart, four great grandchildren Emma and Ben Rogers, Kolton and Kenley King, one brother Harrison Guess (Glenda) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Bernice poured her heart into everything she did, whether it was nurturing her beautiful flowers in her yard, casting a fishing line in quiet waters, or cheering passionately for her beloved Florida State University sports teams. Her enthusiasm and love for life were infectious, creating a sense of joy that surrounded her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home of Madison at 3:00 with Bro. Wally Weaver officiating. Interment service will follow immediately after in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Madison. The family will receive friends beginning one hour prior to the service. Friends may sign the online guest book at joepburnsfuneralhomes.com. Friends and family are invited to gather for a celebration of her life, to share memories, and to pay tribute to the remarkable woman she was. Bernice will be remembered not only for the love she expressed but also for the laughter and light she brought to those she met along her journey.
We will carry Bernice's spirit with us always, holding her memory close to our hearts as we celebrate an extraordinary life.