Mother Bernice Broome Doctor

Mother Bernice Broome Doctor was born on October 8, 1930, the beloved daughter of the late Charli and Mattie Martha Kershaw Broome. She peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

She received her early education in the public schools of Richland County and attended Booker T. Washington High School. Throughout her working years, Mother Doctor was employed by Richland County School District One, Ship Ahoy Restaurant and dedicated many years to domestic service.

In 1947, she was united in holy matrimony to Frank Doctor, Jr. From this union, seven children were born: Will R., Roosevelt, Frankie, Bernard, Anthony, Frances, Wygeana Doctor, and Frank Rawlinson, whom she lovingly raised as her own.

At a young age, Mother Doctor joined Clement Road Church of God. In the late 1950s, she became a devoted member of The Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., where she was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. From that day forward, she faithfully “ran for Jesus” for the remainder of her life.

She served her church diligently in many capacities. She was an active member of the Sick and Shut-In Committee and the Holy Communion Committee, a faithful member of the Progressive Senior Choir, and sang with the Senior Holy-Lights Singing Group. Blessed with a melodious voice, Mother Doctor led many beloved selections, including her treasured favorites, “He Touched Me” and “Jacob’s Ladder.”

Mother Doctor was known for her warm spirit, kindness, hospitality, and unwavering generosity. Her home at 1251 Heyward Brockington Road was always open to family, friends, and strangers alike. She was a woman of prayer, fasting, and holiness, wholly committed to the will of God. Truly, she was a virtuous woman whose worth was far above rubies.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Doctor, Jr.; two sons, Anthony Doctor and William Rogers Doctor; one daughter, Frances Doctor Brice; and her adopted son, Frank Rawlinson.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory three sons, Roosevelt, Frankie (Yolanda), and Bernard Doctor, all of Columbia, South Carolina; one daughter, Wygeana Doctor McQueen of Columbia, South Carolina; daughter-in-law, Aletha Rawlinson and Ann Abernathy Gunter, whom she helped raise. She is also survived by thirty-one grandchildren, seventy-seven great-grandchildren, forty-two great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her oh so dearly.

Her life was a living testimony of faith, love, and service, and her legacy

will continue through generations to come.

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