Funeral services will be Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.,St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 9100 old highway 24, McComb, MS 39648, with burial in Allen Family Cemetery in McComb, MS.

Anna Bernice "Bern" Gatlin was born July 23, 1932, to the union of Willie Allen, Sr., and Allison Barnes of McComb, MS. Bern departed from this life peacefully at the age of 86 on May 1, 2019 in Jackson, Mississippi surrounded by loved ones.

Bern was a kin, fun and loving woman who treated everyone she meet with respect and dignity. She left home at an early age moved to the Chicago area and worked a number of positions including at Ingalls Memorial Hospital where she retired.

Anna was a devoted wife and supportive mother. She was married to Ollie Jack Gatlin for over 20 years and had seven children. Anna poured everything into her children and was very proud of them. She enjoyed watching basketball, sewing, styling hair, traveling to visit family and friend and cooking.

Bern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons, Otelious Gatlin, Kaleb Gatlin, three brothers; Walter Allen, Elliot Cowart, JD Allen, four sisters; Willie Mae Brummel, Annie B. Beckham, Martha Ard, Lelia Simmons.

Bern leaves to cherish her memories; five children, William Gatlin (Lynn); Robert Gatlin (Iristeen); Marvin Garlin, Jacqueline Beauchamp (Sam), Sharon Jordan, twenty-two grandchildren, forty-five great grandchildren, eight great great grand children, ten siblings; Clarece Magee, Allice Allen, Blondie Reese (Samuel); Alberta Turner, Mazie Brumfield, Mary Jones, Vada McGowan (Ernest), Mattie Hughes, Willie Allen, Jr. (Mildred), Albert Allen (Linda) and a host of nieces, nephews, sisters in law, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends.