Hundreds turned out on Sunday packing to overflowing the First Church of God, North Shore, Pembroke paying last respects to the lady esteemed as “Super Senior Mother Sherlock”.

She was also known as “Niecey” because she was the personification of all that was really ‘nice,’ disposition-wise, looks and otherwise.

In fact, more often than not, she was called every thing but her given name, which was Carolyn Bernice Sherlock.

She was born August 30, 1926, the second child of John and Tamar Lindsay, late of Smith Hill, Pembroke, where she grew up with her siblings Leroy, Lois and Sylvia, all of whom predeceased her.

Niecey attended the nearby Central School, now known as Victor Scott Primary. She was athletic, a top runner, and her friends would recall that nobody could beat her.

It seemed providential that the best years of her life would be spent as the wife of a man named Ed Sherlock, one of Bermuda’s best known and most personable 24th of May Marathon runners.

Freda Thompson, one of Nicey’s four children delivering the obituary of her mother at the funeral, cited how Bernice, having lost her mother when she was young, went out to work at an early age, helping to support her siblings.

Her first job was at the Sunshine Laundry; and she later ventured in many other fields, such as cashier, sales lady, waitress and parlour maid.

Her three other children are Sheila, Shirley and Robert.

After a six-year courtship, Bernice and Edmund (that’s Ed’s real name) were married August 29, 1963.

On the occasion of a half-century of marital bliss their union was highlighted on the front page of The Royal Gazette, sharing a really BIG Kiss.

Niecey joined the The New Testament Church of God early in life and became an active member, serving on different committees, including The Ladies Willing Workers, The Mothers Union and The Women’s Ministry.

She a good singer, a lead in The Ladies Missionary Choir, and often a soloist on The Forward In Faith radio broadcast.

When she was chosen as “Mother of the Year,” she accepted the citation with pride and humility.

In later years Bernice attended Shekinah Worship International Ministries, where she was cited as “Super Senior Mother Sherlock.”

Shekinah Pastor Maria Seaman giving the eulogy at the funeral, hailed Mrs Sherlock as a “Woman of God”.

That was a sentiment underscored by Bishop Rev Dr Vernon G Lamb, MBE, DD, who officiated at the service. Other tributes were by Verna Darrell of the Hospital’s Dialysis Unit; and grand daughters, Sharon Burgess and Saidha Wainwright.

Niecey and Ed were a devoted couple. She was his number one fan particularly when he participated in the May 24th Marathon Derby.

In a 15-minute video presentation that preceded the eulogy, titled “Wind Beneath My Wings,” she was seen stepping out from the sidelines on Cedar Avenue cheering on her beloved champion.

In the last two years her family wanted her to relax at home. But she overruled them determined to take what ever ailment she had to the Derby.

She was going, and “that’s was that, end of story!”. Said daughter Freda, amusing the congregation.

Freda added that her granddaughter Sharon had the assignment on be at Cedar Avenue the day before the Derby to stake out a spot for Sherlock family.

Another event Niecey and Ed enjoyed was the Somerset vs St Georges Cup Match Classic.

They were considered ‘huge’ Somerset fans; and when the event was in Somerset they were assured of a royal spot in the camp of friends Delbert and Heather Doars.

In addition to her husband, Mrs Sherlock has left a host of grandchildren, great grands, spouses and friends to mourn her passing. Special among them were cited The 24th of May Cedar Avenue Posse.

Pallbearers out of the church were nephews Fred and Vance Goater, Jarizhuno Simmons, Quinton Sherlock, Vernal and Carlos Durham.

Her grandsons, Trevor Lindsay Winston Burgess, Jr, Eusi Wainwright, Alfred Fubler and great grandsons Ronae Burgess and Lo’Niko Durrant were pallbearers to the graveside at St John Anglican Church, Pembroke.

Honorary Pallbearer was son Robert Burns.