Mrs. Sarah Bernice Brunson departed this life and entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at her home on 5505 Raymond Jenkins Street in Sumter, South Carolina. She was born in Lee County, South Carolina on Tuesday, February 12, 1929 to the late Frank and Sallie Rufus.

Sarah Bernice attended Dicks School in Sumter County. At an early she joined Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church of Woodrow, South Carolina where she was a faithful member until her health began to fail. Sarah was a faithful member of the Colclough Missionary Unit and also a member of the Twelve Tribes in Sumter, South Carolina. Sarah enjoyed cooking, shopping, eating out and reading the Word of God.

She leaves to cherish her precious loving memories: eight children and their children – Anna D. Clarkson of Sumter, SC (Julia Clarkson, Shirley Tention), Marion Brunson and Katherine Brunson of Blackville, SC (Earl Ray, Rachel Mazza, Wayne Brunson, Bernice Shaw, Marian Buckner), Sallie Tention, of Brooklyn, NY (Eric Tention), Sarah McDonald-McDaniel of Sumter, SC (Kim Smith, Reynold McDonald, Derrick McDonald), Annie Shaw (Issac) of Sumter, SC (Shontel Wright, Latawtay Peacock, Santana Shannon), Ruth Anna Blanding-McClary (Marion) of Sumter, SC (Vakenya Latrille Rhems, Larry Blanding, Jr. (Thandi Bonsiwe Blanding), Matthew Rufus of Sumter, SC (Matthew B. Rufus, Xaviera Q. Nickens); seven special nieces: Mary White, Marie Rogers, Janice Rufus, Ollie Bolden, Jackie Rufus, Bernice Harcum, Shirley Davis; two nephews: John Knox and Williams Knox; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-one great-grandchildren and nineteen great-great-grandchildren; seven special god-children: Larry Brunson, Herbert Lee Cabbagestalk, James Ray, Gary Ray, and Pamela Smith. Aaron Lowdy and Clara Gallishaw; a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Bertha Knox; brother, James Rufus; son-in-law,  Earmus McDaniel; two sisters-in-law, Maggie Pearson and Carol Thompson; and best friend, Rose Lee Ray who we know is up in heaven laughing and talking.

Public Viewing will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 1-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Mrs. Brunson will be placed in the church on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 10am for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Mt. Olive AME Church, 2738 Woodrow Road Dalzell, SC, with Pastor Friendly Gadson Officiating.

Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens.

Family will receive friends at her home, 5505 Raymond Jenkins Street Sumter, SC.