Bernice Teresa Rutledge was born on February 2, 1944, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the union of Booker T. and Alphrada Roberts; both of whom proceeded her in death.

Bernice professed her faith to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church of Oklahoma City. She later became an active and faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Oklahoma City where she served as a musician (pianist/organist). Bernice also served as an itinerant musician for various other churches throughout the city.

Bernice graduated from Fredrick Douglass High School of Oklahoma City in 1961 and was a member of the glee club and chorus. Following graduation, she completed nursing school and began her nursing career in 1966 in Oklahoma City practicing at various hospitals and clinics throughout Oklahoma City and later in Texas. Bernice practiced nursing for 35-years until she retired in 2001.

Bernice was united in holy matrimony in 1962, and that union was blessed with three children. Following that union,

Bernice later married Aedren Rutledge and relocated to Dallas, Texas in 1974. The family became active members of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas in 1976. For nearly 40-years Bernice served faithfully in the music department as a pianist/organist, as a Women's Sunday School teacher, as a member of the Women's Junior/Senior Missions, and as a deaconess.

Bernice's beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her spouse, Aedren Rutledge; her children Yolanda Hawkins, Lawrence Bruner, Jr. (Karolina), and Caroline Gary; her surviving siblings Booker T. Roberts, Jr., Regina DeGrate, and Harold Roberts (siblings proceeding her in death were Earl Weston, Jr., Charles Roberts, Billy Don Roberts, and Marilyn Polk); her grandchildren, Scott Webb, II, Cortney Bruner, and Cole Gary; her great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.