Bernice Kelley Irvine, 79, of 1265 Commercial Avenue, Clifton Forge went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor with her family by her side.

She was born July 8, 1926 in Botetourt County, Virginia, a daughter of the late Henry and Mamie Walker Kelley. She enjoyed a varied and productive life, working at the old Clifton Forge Steam Laundry and H. O. Canfield as an inspector. She was also a CNA for an area nursing home, was a teacher's assistant in the Clifton Forge School System and a part time employee at the Senior Citizens Center.
Upon retirement, she dedicated her life to her family and became a devoted full time wife, mother and grandmother, always there for everyone with an endless supply of unconditional love. She was a devout Christian woman and was a long time Sunday school teacher and board member of the Holy Cross Church in Clifton Forge. Her interests included reading, cooking, singing, gardening and watching movies. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan who never missed a televised game. She was blessed with happiness and was able to live her entire life in her home, which she dearly loved.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-seven years, Rudolph Vincent Irvine in 1998, a brother, Edgar Kelley, and a precious daughter, Barbara Combs who died this past March.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Norma and Art Markland of Ft. Myers, FL and Michelle and Kevin Cook of Natural Well, four sons and daughters-in-law; Larry W. and Mary Irvine of Clifton Forge, Ronnie and Kay Irvine of Clifton Forge, Bobby and Pam Irvine of Clifton Forge, and James and Robin Irvine of Wesgate, sixteen grandchildren; Jeff Irvine, Dana Curry, Cathy Mines, Ken Markland, Shane Irvine, Danielle Morgan, Stacey Meadows, Kristy Humphreys, Dakota Cook, Samantha Irvine, Taylor Irvine, Kadie Irvine, Ashley Irvine, Heather Irvine, Tysha Breeden, and Jeremy Baldwin, twelve great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Pamela Irvine officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Glen Hyler, Barry Hyler, Kevin Cook, Mark Spangler, Gene Irvine, and James Curry. The family will receive friends Tuesday Evening from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM at the funeral home and other times at the residences of the children.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association, 2212 Dressler Dr., Covington,VA, 24426 or to the American Cancer Society, Alleghany Highlands Division, P. O. Box 11, Clifton Forge, VA, 24422.