Bernice J. Harben, 87, of Dawsonville, died April 18, 2019.

Born November 14, 1931 to the late J. Silvey, Sr. and Flara Harben, she lived most of her life in Dawsonville. 

Born and raised in Dawson County, Bernice was a graduate of Dawson County High School and North Georgia College.  She taught high school for the Jackson County and Gwinnett County School systems for 32 years until her retirement. 

Following her retirement she worked at the Dawson County Board of Elections and loved to travel the country with her sister. 

Bernice was an avid sports fan her entire life and was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Frances H. Thurmond; brother, John S. Harben, Jr.; and a nephew, Russell A. Harben.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Lisa T. Lee, of Utah, John Silvey Harben III, of Canton, Vance and Barbie Thurmond of Dawsonville, Kathryn Harben and James Wiley, of Decatur, Lori Gore, Cumming; sister-in-law, Myrtle L. Harben, of Cumming;  a number of great-nieces and nephews; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 23 at the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville with the Rev. Stan Lovell officiating.  Interment followed in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends from 5 to 8 p.m. April 22 and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 23 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.