Bernette Menefee

Bernette Menefee, born January 16, 1967 to Hugh Smith Jr and Jeannette Smith, valued her upbringing in Decatur, GA where she attended Towers High School and graduated in 1985.

Upon graduation Bernette gained employment with the Defense Contract Management Command South Region (DCMC-SR) and later changed employers to work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After a short period with the IRS, she regained employment with DCMC-SR, and it was during this period she met her best friend and love of her life Willie Albert Menefee Jr who became her husband on February 3rd, 1991. Their love for one another led to them sharing four beautiful children; Brittany, Brialle, Chelcia, and Jeremy, who were the joy of her life. Bernette’s motto was right, wrong or indifferent, I will always be here for you. This will forever be with her children.

December 1991, Bernette and Wille moved their family to Columbus, OH due to the Department of Defense (DOD) Base Realignment and Closure and started their career at Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS). Bernette thrived while at DFAS earning her Master of Science in Administration and achieving her ultimate goals within her federal government career prior to retirement in June 2024. Throughout her years, she enjoyed sharing her knowledge with others by providing training around the country while developing long life relationships and lasting friendships. In May 2013 she became a member of the Federally Employed Women Organization (FEW) where she held many positions with her local Equalitarian Chapter, the Great Lakes Region and served on the National Board of Directors (NBOD) resigning as the National Treasurer in June 2024. She received many accolades including the President's Quiet Storm Award and the prestigious FEW National Barbara Boardman Tennant Award for her lifetime of service to Federally Employed Women. FEW was dear to her, and she took every chance she got to promote the organization and its values. She served the organization well and her memory will forever be with them.

Bernette spent her entire life prioritizing others. Even when she wasn’t feeling her best, she was still there when her family and friends needed her the most. Distance never stopped Bernette from going to support her family for any special occasion. She gave freely of her time and love. 

She enjoyed traveling the world with her family vising places like Germany, Spain, Italy and Hawaii just to name a few. Some of her vacations were to travel to see one of her daughters during her deployments with the US Air Force. Bernette fulfilled her dream of completing her bucket list. She attended tapings of the Family Feud, Price is Right, and Tyler Perry Plays. Atlanta was always home for her and dear to her heart, as she enjoyed traveling there to attend Falcons games.

Bernette’s smile forever lives in our hearts. She had a gift for making people feel at ease, and you knew her smile was genuine because of the warmth behind it. Her family and friends will forever carry the memory of her beautiful smile and the generosity of her heart. Bernette’s spirit of kindness will continue to inspire and live on in the countless lives she touched. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 31 years, Willie Albert Menefee Jr; her treasured children Brittany James, Brialle Menefee, Chelcia McCrary and Jeremy Arnold (Nai’lah); the light of her life her six grandchildren Camilla Menefee, Davion Arnold, Amina-Loren Arnold, Ahmir Payne, Adonis Payne, and Bailee Johnson; her loving parents Hugh Smith Jr and Jeannette Smith; her sisters Cherita and Ann Smith; her brothers Patrick, Michael, and Danny Smith; sister in laws Jackie Johnson (Darryl); Kimberly Robinson (Carnell), Janvetta Calhoun, Denise McDowell (Randy), Clarice Tanner (Darryl), and Gina Hill (Larry). A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.