Bernice Thomas Fox

Bernice (Rutledge-Thomas) Fox died peacefully at home, listening to scripture, covered by a Seahawk blanket on Tuesday June 11, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born in Tuscaloosa, AL, the only child of Mattie (Rutledge) and John D. Thomas, Jr. and graduated from Tuscaloosa County Training School (currently Riverside High School) in Northport, AL. Shortly after graduating, she migrated to the Pacific Northwest, following her father who had, in his turn, followed his brother Robert to find wartime employment. She attended Beutel Business College in Tacoma, acquiring secretarial, bookkeeping, and business administration skills. As one of the best and brightest in her cohort, she secured employment with the Department of the Army at Fort Lewis Army Base, thus beginning her Civil Service career. She utilized her many skills in roles that included work in the Sergeant Major’s Office, the Admission and Disposition Office, the Convalescent Hospital and Madigan Army Medical Center. She enjoyed working with staff and doctors in a health-caring environment and thus, the final years of her career were spent in Madigan’s Department of Medicine Gastroenterology Service, retiring after a total of 29 years.

One fine day, on the bus ride to Madigan, she met her future spouse Richard, who was then a US Army Private. The two wed soon after, enjoying some years of marriage before expanding their family. Bernice took a career break after the birth of their son, Richard K., Jr, and their daughter, Patricia, to become a full-time homemaker, returning to Madigan after the two were teens. During her hiatus, Bernice was an active member of St. Leo School’s Mothers’ (Parents’) Club, volunteering in many and sundry capacities, including church-school bazaars, Wednesday lunchroom shifts, after-school programs and recess monitoring. She served on the Board and was a member of Philomathea at Bellarmine High School, supervising social and sports activities.

She loved and was a faithful member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, over the years serving her church community and beyond with special interest in the Hospitality Kitchen, Catholic Workers, and the Food Connection. She served on the Pastoral Council and various committees and boards, and ministered to the sick and shut-in throughout her life, buoyed by the example of Sister Consuella Greaney OSF, with visits, calls, and cards. Bernice was a member and officer of the local, state and national Auxiliaries of the United States Postal Services Clerks’, Supervisors’, and Postmasters’ organizations. She was also a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan and member of South Sound Seahawkers Booster Club; Bernice and Richard were among the first to become Season Ticket Holders after the Seahawks became a franchise in the mid-1970s.

Long a champion of social justice and the promise of democracy, Bernice avidly followed political news and legislative issues, clipping and saving articles from newsletters, newspapers, magazines. During her hiatus from Madigan, she often worked in the polls when voting machines and polling places were the order of the day and was later recognized for consistent voting by Pierce County Elections. Always acting with grace and quiet courage, she set an example of civility and activism.

She maintained a lively correspondence with those near and far, marking moments of celebration or sadness and equally loved checking the daily mail for letters, cards, and postcards from relatives and friends. She enjoyed cooking - especially baking and making various candies - and was devoted to her family and their gatherings, making every effort to celebrate holidays with abundant feasts and to attend the biennial Rutledge-Huff family reunion.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents John and Mattie, foster sister Ollie, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. To cherish her memory, she leaves to celebrate her life her children: Richard, Jr. and Patricia; two grandchildren, Aaron (Krista) and Cecily; two great-grandchildren, Aquila (Tiffany) and Kaysha; a special daughter, Melinda; a loving host of Thomas, Rutledge and Fox relatives; many godchildren; her St. Leo’s Girl Gang; her Seahawkers, numerous good neighbors, and a host of friends.

Bernice greatly appreciated the prayers, love, kindnesses, flowers and treats (especially the treats), cards and letters, and compassion from all those who gave so willingly of themselves. The family wishes to thank all those, too numerous to mention by name, who offered prayers, sent cards and letters, brought treats and flowers, nourished us, ministered in ways great and small, and kept us in their thoughts. We express special gratitude to kin- and friend- caregivers who faithfully and tirelessly tended body and spirit.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Leo Church on Tuesday June 24, 2025 from 12:10pm. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Leo Food Give to St. Leo Food Connection and St. Leo Emergency Services Give to St. Leo Emergency Services at St. Leo Parish, 710 S. 13th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405