Bernice Mavis Olaivar Tewell

Bernice Olaivar, 79, of Long Beach and formerly of Pass Christian, but a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, passed from this life to the next on February 15, 2012.
Bernice was born in Gulfport on June 4, 1932. Like many of her day, she married early. Like many, she was widowed early. She worked hard and successfully raised a large family with the help of God, family, friends, faith and sheer determination. She started her career as a waitress, became a licensed cosmetologist, and eventually retired as a regional manager for the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority. Somewhere along the way, she became an accomplished painter with a love of the flowers and trees that grace the Mississippi Coast.
She is survived by her sister, Maidie Garcia of Gulfport; her children, Becky (Mark) Prasnovsky of Pass Christian, Frank (Sheryl) Olaivar of Long Beach, Richard Olaivar of Pass Christian, Greg Olaivar of Pensacola, Paula (Jack) Rutherford of Mobile, Tiki Olaivar (Rich Novak) of Arlington Heights, IL, and Benny Olaivar of Ocala, FL. Bernice leaves behind numerous wonderful grandchildren including Jon, Jason, and Tasha; many much loved nieces and nephews and a host of friends who added joy and texture to her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Benny P. Olaivar; her parents, John and Ada Moore; and her brothers, J. Dewey Moore, Tony Moore, and David Moore and his wife Shirley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, where family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Long Beach City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, P.O. Box 1529, Long Beach, MS 39560-6267 in her memory.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road in Long Beach is in charge of arrangements.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.