Bernice Bozeman Hill was born in Dadeville, AL, on April 5, 1939. Her parents were Lurlene Barnes and Walter Bozeman. Bernice accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Haven Chapel United Methodist Church of Dadeville. She was educated in the Tallapoosa County school system. After graduating from Council High School, she enrolled in Alabama A&M University where she received a B.S. Degree in Business Education in 1961.

After graduating from A&M, she moved to Queens, where she resided until 1976, when she moved to Westbury. Bernice received an MSW from Columbia University in 1990; she also studied at the New School for Social Research. She retired from her job as a social worker at the New York City Human Resources Administration in 1995. After her retirement, she could not resist the opportunity to continue her work in the community in the human services field. She was offered a position as the coordinator of the New Cassel Westbury Weed and Seed Strategy, a national collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice, the community, and law enforcement agencies to revitalize communities and prevent, control, and reduce violent crimes and drug and gang activities. She worked in this position until 2002, experiencing great satisfaction from many positive results, including the development of New Cassel's first participation in the National "America's Night Out Against Crime," which has grown and continues to blossom with the involvement of the vast majority of the community.

Bernice continued to be actively involved in community services through the work she did in her church, sorority, and alumni association. She was a Silver Star and life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a charter member of Pi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. of Westbury. She served as president (1992-1995) and then as treasurer of the chapter. She chaired several chapter committees and served on committees on the regional level. After moving back to Alabama, Bernice quickly became affiliated with the Mu Sigma Omega Chapter. She was an active member of the Alabama A&M University Alumni Association of Greater New York from the time she moved to New York. She served as its corresponding secretary. Bernice was a member of the Westbury United Methodist Church for 28 years. She served as chair of the Worship Committee for 8 years. She served on the board of the Neighborhood Advisory Council of New Cassel and as a member of the NAACP. Bernice was honored to receive her chapter's first "Soror (Sister) of the Year" Award at the 7th biennial "Salute to Blacks in Action" luncheon in 2000 for outstanding community and chapter services. She received a Weed & Seed Award from the U.S. Attorney Eastern District of New York, presented in recognition of and appreciation for her dedicated services to the community of New Cassel Westbury. Bernice received a Certificate of Recognition at the National "America's Night Out Against Crime", from the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center in 2002 for outstanding service to the New Cassel Westbury Weed and Seed Program and the community. Over the years, Bernice has been recognized numerous times by other organizations, as well as by the New York City Human Resources Administration.

Bernice completed the circle, and relocated to her "roots," Dadeville AL, in April 2005. Shortly after returning, she was honored by the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Alabama State University Alumni Association, Inc. for her dedicated service to the New York community (A tremendous honor for an Alabama A&M alumna).

She was united in holy matrimony to Otis Hill in 1970. They were married for 17 years. In this union, Bernice never failed to recognize what she called one of her greatest blessings from God, the "apple of her eye," her daughter, Shawndra, who is currently a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia. In addition to her daughter, Bernice leaves her two sisters, Jacqueline Seagraves and Jean Doris Bozeman, who were lovingly devoted to making the last three years comfortable for their little sister. She also leaves a niece, Tammy Cornners (husband Wilmur (Jr.)), a nephew, Donald Seagraves (wife Paula, daughters, Jillian and Angelie, son, Joshua), aunts Ruth Russell, Helen Pearson, Nona Pearson, Algie Williams and a host of cousins, friends and sorors to cherish her memory and celebrate her lifetime of service. Her spirit and immeasurable courage will never be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held on Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Westbury United Methodist Church, 265 Asbury Ave., Westbury (333-0874). In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that friends honor Bernice Hill's memory through donations to the American Cancer Society: Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in her name. Make checks payable to the American Cancer Society: Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, 1104 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205 (205-558-7860). http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge/AL_Birmingham/jl_index.asp.