Bernice Cumbo Coles

I was extremely lucky to meet Bernice Coles as a friend of Kim's. She was so warm and kind to me personally, and to my then-girlfriend, Erika, and so full of love and good humor, that I fell in love. I adored her classic, schoolteacher's diction, the way she spoke with her round, North Carolina vowels, the way she pronounced her daughter's name, my name, everyone's name. It was a privilege to listen to her and a joy to speak with her. As the story above says, she made me feel seen and heard and valued. She and her sisters Eunice and Thelma wisely advised Erika to marry me and me to marry Erika, and I was so glad they did. She was beautiful and one-of-a-kind and I will always cherish her memory. Love, T.

Bernice had such a beautiful, quiet strength. She made you feel better just by being herself. Whether through her words, her poems, or a simple moment of conversation, she had a gift for lifting hearts. Her love lives on through her family, through the many students whose lives she shaped, and through all of us who were blessed to know her. The world truly is better because she was here. Thank you, Bernice, for your love, your light, and your beautiful spirit. You will always be remembered… and always be loved. 🤍

Bernice Cumbo Coles. I find it hard to speak about her without breaking into tears. I’ll be honest, to me this feels like the end of an era. She belonged to a generation that traveled the longest distance: war and wars, civil rights, Black Power, disco, hip-hop, cd’s, the internet, the “man from Hope,” 9/11, too big to fail, hope and change, “Yes We Can!”, Make America Great Again, a global plague, January 6, a season of resurrection and now god knows what. But Bernice was a constant. A living bridge between two centuries of triumph, confusion, and relentless reinvention. What I’m trying to say is that Bernice was a witness, a testimonial in human form to the frailty and resilience of the waters we all swim in. And it is overwhelming to feel that mighty energy transition to another dimension. Like Kim, I believe there is more to us beyond the veil of death. That may be so. Yet the loss of someone like Bernice makes the ocean feel suddenly deeper, the current stronger. She understood the deepest parts of the sea, the unspoken histories, the rhythm n’ blues, the quiet courage, the way we keep each other afloat. By the way, did I mention Bernice was a good person? I believe good is the highest praise any of us can receive. Good has little to do with outside accolades and everything to do with inside work that radiates outward, a quality that speaks to your name long after the body has left the building. I will miss Bernice. I will miss knowing she is there to help us swim, because there are so many ways to sink. Thank goodness her daughter, my sister Kim, along with her son Clifford and her grandson Malcolm, are here to represent the Cumbo-Coles tribe. Through Kim’s gift for masterful storytelling, Bernice will always have a presence that lightens our hearts and shows us the way. Thank you, Bernice. I love you. I’ll see you on the other side. Xo, e.

Good morning, Kim. Thank you for sending a picture of the card I sent Bernice decades ago. What a delightful revisit. I recall our first meeting in Raleigh. I had traveled from Brooklyn to visit your aunts and your mother for a week. Though they had planned a week of custom menus just for me, they took me to a restaurant in their area. It was a lovely occasion. We laughed and they drove me around to see the City. It was as though we were old friends. Lovely, warm memories; Erika’s dad had recently died, and I was seeking a place to relocate. That evening, in their presence was prescriptive-healing, in many ways. Our shared life stories touched many areas of commonalities. Sometimes, Angels in human form are sent to minister to us. There is no mistaking that you have encountered such a visit. It was such for me. Renewal in many forms, and I was grateful. I’m glad you helped me retrieve that memory, Kim. As for her beautiful portraits - take it from an 84 year old dreamer like me - thank God for the glory days of youth and the mature, mellowing of grace and true elegance, when true beauty radiates from within. Pure gold. We are not distracted from the meaning of “being created in His image!” She possessed inner and outer beauty! “Pure Gold!” Be blessed and much love, Sammie J. Alexander / ‘Susu’ Albany, NY 1/06/2026

Bernice was an affable, well respected and kind friend,colleague and educator. She had a great sense of humorously wrapped wisdom likened to timely parables. Bernice, a consummate professional, instilled ideas, values and confidence in both students and school personnel. She was esteemed by the lives she touched. "My buddy" has left an indelible impression on my life. I will surely miss her kindness, wisdom and spirit. The NYC school community of Public School 138 and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family for the loss of your mother. Her legacy will live on through you. Blessings, J. Higgs

I first met Ms. Bernice Coles through her daughter Kim, and from our very first encounter she was a true delight. On a trip to Bali I met one of her former students who called her, her “favorite teacher” and longed to tell her how deeply she had shaped her life. When I shared this, she allowed me to arrange a FaceTime reunion so the student could thank her after all those years — a gesture of such sweetness and generosity. She welcomed me with warmth and kindness; I will always remember how deeply I felt cared for in her presence. Rest In Heaven. 🙏🏽