Mother Bernice Pullen

Missionary Bernice Pullen, also known as Mother Pullen, was born on May 15, 1929 in Augusta, Arkansas to Elmo and Hosiea Currie who both preceded her in death. This loving and fruitful union produced five handsome boys and five beautiful girls. Mother Pullen was the seventh child of ten children.

Mother Pullen completed her elementary education in Augusta, Arkansas and graduated from Summer High School in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating, she attended Stowe Teacher College. She completed two years of college, but passionately chose to reroute her steps and pursue her destiny on a different path. She relocated to Chicago in July of 1950 and met the love of her life, Arne Pullen. They happily united in holy matrimony on September 5, 1951 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he served in the United States Armed Forces and they later moved to Robbins, Illinois. Arne and Bernice were the proud parents of seven children: James, Carolyn (Sedric), Vanessa (Ocie Wendell) and four who preceded them in death, Arne Jr., Vernon, Sharnell and Linda. Their extended family includes a daughter: Maggie Parr (Nate) and children: Billy, Brian and Leslie.

Mother Pullen began to experience nostalgic childhood moments of her mother in the kitchen, with no formal professional training, hot combing and styling the hair of several women. As a young girl, she was impacted by how her Mom was able to successfully transform the appearance of these women and the manner in which each of their countenance became illuminated and confident after their hair was completed. As a result, Mother Pullen clearly recognized that she aspired to one day own a storefront hair care business.

Remembering her childhood desires, Mother Pullen enrolled in beauty school and obtained her professional credentials as a licensed cosmetologist. With the blessing and cooperation of her husband, she opened Bernice's Beauty Salon in the basement of their home in Robbins, Illinois in 1970.

In addition, Mother Pullen was always fascinated with well-designed fashion and resolved that she would always be exceptionally dressed. She learned to sew and began to model in a few local shows. She absolutely loved to shop downtown Chicago and later New York and more. She always seriously gave close attention to fabric, texture, quality, style and detail of every item she purchased. Her greatest joy and fulfillment derived from making sure others were spectacularly dressed as well. Mother Pullen began selling merchandise in the basement of her home to her salon customers, family and friends and she became licensed to buy anywhere in the U.S. and abroad. Needless to say, her Lord and her husband Arne Pullen, Sr. smiled on Mother Pullen and her prayerful pursuits flourished when her dream to have a storefront business materialized in 1978. She officially moved to 3315 W. 137th Street, Robbins, Illinois as Bernice's Beauty Salon & Boutique. With a building literally built by the gifted hands of her loving husband and blessed by God, Mother Pullen felt extremely grateful to be so highly favored.

In 1993, the structure was further expanded into the building that stands today as Bernice's Beauty & Boutique Ltd. She totally enjoyed her 57 years as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry serving a variety of women across the United States.

In January of 1974, Mother Pullen came into a whole new life when the Lord saved and baptized her with the Holy Ghost in a revival held at Robbins Church of God in Christ of Robbins, Illinois under the late pastor Elder Peter Turner. With this new life and new beginning, Mother Pullen sought to have a good understanding of God's word. She attended Charles Harrison Mason Bible College of Fifth Jurisdiction, IL under the leadership of Bishop Samuel McCarthy. She earned certificates in Child Evangelism, Bibliology Studies, Sermon Preparation and much more. Throughout her education, she worked diligently at Robbins COGIC serving as a choir member, a youth leader, a Sunday School teacher, the president of the building fund, the vice president of the Ministers' Wives Alliance, the president of the Ways and Means Committee and Finance Chairman. Lastly, she was honored to receive her license as missionary under Fifth Jurisdiction Illinois.

In 1994, Mother Pullen along with her husband, moved their membership to Tabernacle of God COGIC of Harvey, Illinois where Bishop Ocie Booker (Superintendent of D.A. Reed Sr. District at the time) was the founder and pastor. Mother Pullen, along with her husband, Elder Arne Pullen, joined and began serving faithfully. When Superintendent Ocie Booker officially installed her husband, Elder Arne Pullen, as pastor of Penson Temple COGIC under the authorization of the late Bishop Shepard Little, former Prelate of First Jurisdiction Illinois, Mother Pullen became elevated to First Lady of Penson Temple COGIC.

In March 1997, Mother Pullen was honored to serve her church for twelve years under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Arne Pullen. She poured herself in leadership roles such as the Women's Department Chairman and Home & Foreign Missions teacher. She felt privileged to be the Assistant Finance Chairman of D.A. Reed. Sr. Womens' Department and also a faithful member of the District and State Ministers' Wives Department where she enjoyed receiving a wealth of wholesome instructions and mentorship under the leadership of Mother Jean Booker, President of the D.A. Reed Sr. District Minister's Wives Alliance.

After twelve years of diligently and faithfully serving at Penson Temple COGIC, Pastor Arne Pullen was led to officially retire as the formal pastor. Afterward, Elder Pullen and Mother Pullen were led to join the Abounding Life COGIC of Posen, Illinois under the leadership of the late Pastor James R. Adams. Elder Arne Pullen along with his loving wife of 63 years, Mother Bernice Pullen, enjoyed many happy years of praise, prayer, powerful moves of the Holy Spirit, and the uncompromising preached word in the company of fellow believers. The abundant love, favor, and respect shown to them by everyone at Abounding Life COGIC contributed to their health and long life. Mother Pullen's husband Elder Arne Pullen was called to be present with the Lord on January 1, 2015. Since that time, Missionary Bernice Pullen has been faithfully planted at the Abounding Life COGIC serving on the church's Mother's Board while simultaneously awaiting that special day when the Lord would also call her into His presence proclaiming well done thou good and faithful servant.

Mother Bernice Pullen was blessed to live the life she had envisioned as a young girl working in the fields of Augusta, Arkansas. Hallelujah! Praise God! Mother Pullen became that successful beautician working in her own store front business. As a "Proverbs 31" Woman, she adorned herself, her husband and her family in fine quality tapestry of eye-catching fashions. She revered her husband and loved her family well. She enjoyed growing fresh vegetables, cooking and baking and she did it all exceptionally well. Because she loved family dinners, Mother Pullen unwaveringly set the table for her entire family, extended family and guests to feast together every Sunday. Mother Bernice Pullen was God's servant and a prayerful woman of faith. She loved learning new things, working with her hands, traveling and attending church services and other special events. She was an outstanding fundraiser and events coordinator and spent most of her career organizing annual fashion shows for her business, along with other special events for her church and community. Little became much every time God placed something in her hand. Because Mother Pullen absolutely loved people, she enjoyed helping others and became a mother to many. Her family was continuously expanding as those fond of her would make reference to her and dad as "family." She was always loving, patient, kind, soft-spoken and generous to all. Mother Bernice Pullen was a first class woman of God and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

On the evening of Friday, June 16. 2023, the Lord called Mother Pullen home to be in His presence. She leaves to cherish her legacy one sibling, Jewel Taylor; two wonderful daughters, Carolyn Willis (Sedric) and Vanessa Booker (Ocie Wendell); and a loving extended daughter Maggie Parr (Nate) and children (Billy, Brian and Leslie); Twenty-one grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jerie Dean, Arne Turner (Nikita), Austin Turner, Warren Pullen (deceased), Jenai Booker, Joyre Vasquez-Durr (Christian), Jared Booker, Dante Wright, Arne Na'Ke Turner, Malik Dean, Zerie Pullen, Mya Dean, Mia Dean, Anre’ 'Turner, Jocelyn Harris, Aren Turner, A'ner Turner, A’kem Turner, A’mir Turner; Two great great grandchildren: Na'ke and Izaiah; one god- daughter Dominique Weeks, two spiritual daughters Rochelle Hawk, Belinda Biloche, a spiritual son Fred Morris and a host of other spiritual sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, church family, business colleagues and patrons.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. with the funeral immediately following until 11:30 A.M. at Glory of God Church of God in Christ, located at 219 Edmundson Street in Sikeston, Missouri, with Pastor Elisha Pullen officiating. Interment will immediately follow in J.C. Pullen Memorial Garden in Bell City, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.