Bernadine Bright

Bernadine Noblin Bright was the second oldest of six children born to the late Mrs. Georgianna Chavious

Noblin and the late Walter Noblin on May 13, 1931, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Bernadine and her family attended the First Baptist Church of Stratford, Connecticut initially under the

pastorate of Rev. Lomax and later under the pastorate of Rev. W.O. Johnson. Bernadine was baptized at

First Baptist as a child, and celebrated as the church’s youngest member. In addition, Bernadine was the

first person to be baptized in their indoor baptismal pool.

Bernadine attended the Stratford, Connecticut public schools. In high school, she was the lead majorette

for the band, while also being an amazing softball player. After high school, Bernadine attended the

Butler Business College in Bridgeport, while working at the Sterling House, a community service

institution.

Bernadine met Alpheus L. Bright of Tallahassee, Florida in 1950 at First Baptist. Their relationship

blossomed and in March 1953, they were united in holy matrimony. During their first three years of

marriage, they sometimes resided in Bridgeport with her brother-in-law and his wife, Arthur and Louise

Bright. They also had housing at Lincoln University due to Alpheus’ seminary studies. They went back

and forth while raising Alpheus, Jr. In 1956, they settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout these

changes, Bernadine trusted and maintained faith in her husband, but most importantly faith in the good

hand of the Lord.

In January 1959, Mrs. Bernadine Bright became the First Lady of the Bethany Baptist Church until Rev.

Bright’s retirement in 2001. She remained a member until her passing. Mrs. Bright taught Sunday

School, was a member of the Pyramid Club, the Flower Club, and the Senior Choir. She was also in the

first computer class taught at Bethany, by William Banks. As First Lady, Mrs. Bright was an active

member of the Baptist Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows of Philadelphia.

Shortly after the birth of Annette, Mrs. Bright began taking management and language arts courses at

the center city branch of the Philadelphia Community College. She did this while giving birth to Cheryl

and Walter. Several years after the birth of Pamela, she went to work at the First Pennsylvania National

Bank. Mrs. Bright then found work as the assistant director of the secretarial support center of Temple

University. There she worked for seventeen years, retiring in 1993.

Mrs. Bright was a lady’s lady. She always looked beautiful on Sunday mornings, wearing the most stylish

suits to matching hats.

Mrs. Bright and Rev. Bright enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. They traveled to Africa, Australia,

Alaska, Hawaii and several Caribbean Islands. Her hobbies included singing, playing the piano, sewing,

and yes, shopping.

One of her greatest joys was spending time with family and friends. She often hosted large holiday

parties for them until her health began to decline. Daughter Pamela graciously took her in and greatly

cared for her during the last eight months of her life.

Bernadine Bright was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Rev. Alpheus L. Bright Sr., son

Alpheus Bright Jr., brothers Frederick and Walter, and sisters Gloria and Althea.

Bernadine leaves to mourn her sister Fannie Walden of Bridgeport, Connecticut; her children, Annette

(Marvin) Fallen of Richmond, VA; Cheryl (Richard) Roberts of West Chester, PA; Walter (April) Bright of

Mullica Hill, NJ; and Pamela (Robert) Adams of New Castle, DE; her grandchildren, Kimberly Bright,

Lynnette Bright, Tanya Bright, Sherice Bright, Marvin (Mercedes) Fallen Jr., Eric (Kenisha) Fallen, Aleasha

(Alfonso) Hoggard, Roslyn (Travis) Roberts, Gavin Bright, Gabrielle Bright, Giavonna Bright, Brianna

Adams, Addison Adams and Michael Regusters Jr.; her great-grandchildren, Mariah Fallen, Marvin Fallen

III, Erin Fallen, Eli Fallen, Amari Hoggard, and Ayanna Hoggard, and daughter-in-law, Deborah Bright of

Philadelphia, PA. She also leaves to mourn the Bright family, a host of nieces and nephews, extended

family, Godchildren, family friend Candice Little, the Bethany family and countless friends.