Bernice Gill Helg Bankston

November 8, 1933 - December 28, 2020

Bernice always went thru life humming and singing. She said she just couldn’t help it. She was born with a song in her heart and a smile on her face. Her mother always told her, “If you could learn your school lessons like you do those songs off the radio, you would be a real smart person.” Well she may not have been real smart in school, but she was smart enough to have five wonderful children and a good husband who worked hard to give them everything they needed to have a good life. When she remarried after her husband’s death, she married another good man. A man that had music in his heart. A man who sang, had his own band, and played almost any instrument. She even let him sing with the “Ole Memories Band” every once in a while; Ha Ha! Bernice said that she has never wanted for anything! She had a great life and wouldn’t change anything about it if she could. Her message to all of you is, “Do what you can do, while you can do it.” Have fun, enjoy your life, love one another and above all keep God in your life. Bernice is survived by her husband, Tully Edward Bankston Jr.; daughter, Diana Helg; sons, Dennis Helg (Vicky), Tommy Helg (JoAnn), Ricky Helg (Kathy); sisters, Jacqueline Darlene Gill Diliberto (Aubrey); brothers, Glen Gill (Patsy), Donald Gill (Barbara); and step-daughters, Flossy Miley, Annette Lachney. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Trey Martin, Andrea Domangue (Jason), Tracy Perkins (Rob), Amanda Helg, Dennis Helg Jr., Ryan Helg (Tiffini), Kristy Rocquin (Casey), Ashley Anderson (Aaron), Sherry Stevens, and Kevin Stevens; and 13 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Ferdinand Henry "Joe" Helg; daughter, Kathy Helg Edwards; grandson, Joseph Henry "Joey" Helg; brother, Perry "Sonny" Gill Jr.; step-daughter, Melinda Bankston; and parents, Hamby DeLaughter and Sarah Alsadie Cutrer. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, 12012 Hwy 190 W. Hammond, LA 70401, on Saturday, January 2, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Bro. Dan Munson will officiate and interment will follow in Wadesboro Catholic Cemetery.