Bernadette Tolson

Bernadette Theresa Levens Tolson, age 60, of Long Beach, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her father, James E “Gene” Levens, Jr; her paternal grandparents, James E. “Dick” Levens, Sr and Bernadette Austin Levens; her maternal grandparents. Theresa Dauro and Leo Schepens; her mother & father-in-law, James Joseph and Patricia Ann Tolson; a nephew and godson, Staff Sergeant Donnie Leo Levens, USMC; a brother-in-law, Mike Gillard; a sister-in-law, Jeanie Tolson Seymer; and a nephew, Corey Tolson.

Bernadette is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, James “Jim” Jay Tolson; her children, Mary Patricia “Tricia” Tolson of Mooresville, NC , Tyler James Tolson, and Zachary Ryan Tolson of Long Beach, MS; her grandson, Hayden Seward; her mother, Mary Schepens Levens; 4 brothers and 4 sisters, James E. “Jimmy” Levens III (Lucy), Jerry Levens (Cindy), Earl Levens (Cindy), Mary Jean Hieser (Keith), Margaret Levens (Grady Stone), Donna Schmidt (Thomas), J. Clay Levens (Susan) and Linda Shirk (Steve) all of Long Beach, MS. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Julie Tolson Gillard, Columbus,OH; 4 brothers-in-law, Phil Seymer, Carthage, MS; John (Laura) Tolson, Titusville, FL; Jay Tolson, Charlotte,NC and Joseph (Wendy) Tolson, Lena, MS; her beloved uncle, Joe Schepens; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles.

She was a 1977 honor graduate of Long Beach High School, obtained an Associate’s Degree in 1979 from MS Gulf Coast Community College, and in 1982 she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting major) from the University of Southern Mississippi. She worked for 45 years alongside her mother in providing accounting/bookkeeping/tax preparation services at the family business (started in 1960) in Gulfport, MS. Initially with Levens’ Accounting and Tax Preparation Services and later when she established her own firm in 1990, Bernadette Levens Tolson, CPA, P.A.

Bernadette was a Certified Public Accountant in Mississippi for 33 years and was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Society of CPA’s, the Gulf Coast Chapter of CPA’s, and the National Association of Tax Preparers. She was a member of the Carnival Association of Long Beach (CALB) and was crowned Queen Rosalie in 1983. She served for numerous years on Finance Councils at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She enjoyed travelling and exploring the country, spending time with her immediate and very large extended family, reading, and listening to news stories. She was a long time supporter of girl’s softball with Long Beach Girl’s Softball League where she sponsored teams for over 30 years.

Bernadette would like to thank all the hundreds of clients that trusted her in providing professional tax and accounting services over the 40+ years. She truly cherished your confidence and more importantly your friendship over those years. Additionally, she would like to thank all the employees that passed through her doors that help the business grow. Your friendship and hard work truly was appreciated by her. Special thanks to her current employees that stayed by her side these last 2 years and were involved with the transition of her clients to Alexander, Van Loon, Sloan, Levens & Favre CPA firm. Bernadette would like to offer special thanks to family, friends, and clients that have visited with her, sent text messages, emails, cards, and notes to her showing their support, prayers, love, and encouragement toward her during her almost two years of living with brain cancer. A very special thanks to her caregivers and her sister, Margaret Levens, who has been a constant support during this time. Also, the family appreciates her doctors, Dr. Olivia Hightower and Dr. Lainie Jorns, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport staff as well as St Joseph Hospice that provided her care and comfort.

Bernadette and her family prefer that any memorials be made too: St. Vincent de Paul Society, ℅ St. Thomas Catholic Church, 712 E. Beach Blvd., Long Beach, MS 39560.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where friends may visit from 9 am – 10:30 am. Interment will be in Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com