Obituary of Bernice Maud Plunkett

Bernice Maud Plunkett, 89, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away January 27, 2024, at Prisma Health Baptist Columbia, South Carolina. She was born on December 23, 1934, in Mines, St. Ann's, Jamaica to the late Adam and Druscilla Ann (Murray) Plunkett. She was raised with her siblings Edgar and Linda.

In 1967, Bernice migrated to the United States and brought her 3 children and many other family and friends with her and later had a 4th child. She created a life for herself and her family in Brooklyn, NY and flourished in her career. She later moved to Queens, NY where she and her sister Linda bought a two-family home where they encouraged many loved ones from Jamaica and England to visit and enjoy family gatherings regularly over many years.   

Bernice worked as a caretaker for countless people and later became a CNA for many years. She worked for the Haym Salomon Home for nursing and rehabilitation of Brooklyn, NY for 34 years. She retired in 1999 after years of selfless and devoted work. After retiring, she moved to Columbia, SC where she gained many new friends and joined a church which she was devoted to for over 20 years. 

Bernice loved to travel and explore new places, such as England, Germany, Barbados, and many states in the U.S. She also loved to spend time with her loved ones by telling family stories and histories, cooking, baking, and hosting often at her home in Columbia, SC. She was devoted to family, faith, and education. Bernice was beautiful, warm-hearted, thoughtful, kind, and a second mother to many. She had a love for children and was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and a great friend. She consistently encouraged and motivated people in a positive way. She was a lover of church, flowers (Daisies), donating to charity, and gardening. She lived a wonderful, fufilled life and is proud of her commitment to God, family, and friends.

Bernice is survived by her children Carl (Brenda) Rickards, Andrea (Junior) Senior, Heather (Sonny) Daire, and Rupert Rickards; her son in law Henry Jimenez; her grandchildren Marvin, Woodley, Adisa Sr., Sean, Ayanna (Ahasen), Kimberly Rickards, Chelsea and Adam Jimenez, Steven, Erika (Michael) Holmes, Jada and Jordan Senior; and her great-grandchildren Victoria, Christian, Adisa Jr., Juwan, Micah, Sia, and Akir. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Adam and Druscilla Plunkett; her siblings Edgar and Linda (Andy); both of her previous spouses Duward Rickards and Leslie Coley; her niece Yvonne (Blossom); her children Julian Rickards and Yvonne Rickards-Jimenez; and her granddaughter Janelle Rickards-Jimenez.

The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM until 12:00PM for visitation. The celebration of the life of Ms. Bernice "Daisy" Plunkett will be held in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home from 12:00-1:00 PM with Reverend Antoinette Gaboton-Moss officiating. Live stream will be available for loved ones to view the funeral beginning at 12:00 pm via the following link https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8654396886, and the recorded video will be available on the obituary website for 90 days. Following those 90 days, the funeral will be accessible to loved ones to share personally. Burial will follow immediately at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park following the chapel service. If so inclined, memorials may be made to Northeast United Methodist Church, 4000 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC 29223.