Affectionately known as "Ms Lee" she most recently worked as a cashier at One Stop Restaurant and at Batts Grill in Surf City. Before those two jobs she worked at Tighlmans Grocery on Topsail Island for years. In April of 1999 she was honored by the Town of Surf City by having a day named for her. Bernice began her life long career in the food industry as a teenager working in her parents cafe in Graham, NC. The cafe eventually became hers and she continued to keep customers happy all while raising three children. On her rare days off, she and her husband would drive the family down to Topsail Island for day trips or whatever time allowed. Upon retiring they eventually moved to Surf City permanently where Mr. Reece, known as "Mr. Lee" went to work for East Coast Fishing. The two met many life long friends and touched many lives. After Mr. Lee's death, Bernice suffered some ailments with her legs and had trouble walking without a cane, but that didn't stop her from working and always being on time. Her last two jobs allowed her to sit at the register in a bar stool that we called her 'Throne.' Ms. Lee was about five foot tall so she always needed just a little help getting up in her seat, but someone was always willing to be there when she was ready to take over 'her Till.' Her mind was sharp and her wit was contagious. Once she would get to laughing at something funny, it was hard to get her to stop. She knew almost every one by name and since she worked in a tourist town she knew where many of the patrons were vacationing from. Many was the occasion where she watched a child grow up from their yearly visits to the Island and eventually saw them coming back bringing their own children to visit. Her memory was impeccable and she knew all about their lives from their last visit and many would stop in just to say hello or to chat and catch her up with their latest news. Ms. Lee worked up until just a few months before her death. Her job was something she looked forward to each day. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Reece. Survivors include one son, Ronnie Lee Reece, two daughters, Evie Lawrence, and Donna Horner, six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. "Ms Lee" died at New Hanover Medical Center at age 84.