BERNICE WADE

Bernice “Christine” Jordan Wade was born December 13, 1938, in Coila Mississippi to Nuben “Buster” Jordan and Ada Lee “Lee Lee” Greene Jordan and was the only child of that union. They later divorced.  Both remarried. Her father had two other children from his second marriage, a sister Ernestine Jordan Hamlin and a brother John Steveson Jordan. Chris loved her siblings dearly; both preceded her in death. 

Chris was educated at Greenwood Public Schools. She graduated from Broad Street High School in Greenwood, Mississippi. She attended Jackson State University and graduated from Mississippi Valley University in Itta Bena, Mississippi with a BS in Sociology.

Chris joined Strangers Home Baptist Church at an early age and was an active member. Her pastor was Reverend Humes who was an excellent mentor both religiously and educationally. In 2021, Chris joined Oasis of Hope Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. 

Chris married Rogers William Wade on December 24, 1957, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. They had three children, Cheryl Denise Wade, Rosilyn Annette Brownie and Andrew Michael Wade.

Chris professional career began at Flanner House where she developed a group work program for teens under the direction of Cleo Blackburn and Izona Warner. She worked at Marion Superior Juvenile Court Division starting out as a probation officer and achieving the rank of Assistance Chief Probation Officer. She was there twenty-one years. She developed an interest in working with young people before they got into the Juvenile Justice System.  Her next job was at Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis where she was the Director of Outreach. She was instrumental in developing programs that increased youth exposure and increased their learning opportunities. Chris helped youth expand their horizons and traveled to places like New York and Washington D.C.  After retirement from her full-time positions, she worked part-time at Citizen Health Center/ Barton Towers where she worked with the senior community.  Chris professional endeavors continued at Families First and Family and Community Partners where she was a contract worker. Chris worked diligently with families to be reunified who were a part of the Department of Children Services. 

Chris passion to serve her community and youth showed through her volunteer efforts with the Deca Links. Deca Links was a group of 10 ladies who came together and did work in the community to help young people further their education. The Deca Links hosted matiness and yearly bus trips to Tunica, Mississippi to fund the scholarships.  

Chris had many hobbies, her favorite was playing the lottery and taking a yearly trip to Las Vegas with friends. Chris treasured and left an impact on those who she encountered. 

Chris has three God daughters, Linda Offutt, Lisa Offutt and Marva Lindsey and two God sons Warren Offutt Jr and William Brown. All who she loved as her own. 

Chris departed this life on April 29, 2025, at the age of eighty-six years old.  She was also preceded in death by her nephew, Philander Hamlin.

Chris leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Cheryl Denise Wade, and Rosilyn Wade Brownie; one son, Andrew Michael Wade; one granddaughter, Maisha Renee Wade;  five grandsons, Jamaal William Wade (Allana), Justin Devon Wade (Molly) Malik Rashad Brownie, Charles Tinsley and Zaire Manuel; five great- grands, Malia Wade, Jacsyn Elliott, Jamaal Wade Jr., Tristan Wade and Mckenna Wade, one sister- in- law, Ella; two brothers-in-law, Abraham Wade (Fannie) and John Doleman; seven nieces: Sybil Metcalf,  Rachel Dixon, Amanda Whitehead, Aretha Amos, Maranda Adams,  Marquetta Jordan and Tameko Purnell, six nephews: Jeffrey Holmes, Amir Hamlin, Emerson Hamlin, Revis Hamlin, Gerald Greene, and Steven Jordan and inheritance of nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins and loved ones.

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