Bernadette Ann Houston

Bernadette Ann Long-Houston Bernadette Ann Long-Houston was born on January 1, 1924 to Andrew Benjamin and Nellie Bernadette Long. She, her sisters, Marguerite Long Topp and Mary Long Smith, her mother and her father lived in Moline, Illinois, the home of John Deere. She was the youngest of three daughters. The Long Family was one of the first African-America families in Moline, Illinois and the only Catholic, African-America family in Moline until the early 60s. Bernadette, better known as Aunt Bernie or Aunt B., attended St. Mary Elementary and High School in Moline. Her first summer job was that of a counselor for the Y.M.C.A. in Chicago, Ill. Since she was a Catholic, there was some evidence of religious prejudice, so she left the Y.M.C.A. and went to work with the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) in Chicago. Upon graduation from St. Mary, she received a scholarship to Illinois Normal University in Bloomington, Illinois. Bernadette worked for the National Youth Administration, after graduation from St. Mary. After college, she and our mother, Mary Ruth, passed the federal civil service exam. Their first assignment was the Office of Depending Benefits in Washington, D.C. and Newark, New Jersey. While working in Washington, D. C., they lived in New York City. After living in New York City, she decided to go to Chicago to seek a teaching job. Her first teaching job was that as a substitute teacher. The next year, she received a teaching contract teaching fourth grade. During her stay in Chicago, Aunt Bernie received a degree of Master of Arts and a second degree of master of history from the University of Loyola. While teaching in Chicago, she met and married Weldon Alexander. They moved to Washington, D.C. This relationship lasted only a few years. Aunt Bernie returned to Moline and obtained a teaching position in Davenport Unified School District. Since Davenport, Iowa is located right across the Mississippi River from Moline, she lived with her family in Moline. In the late 1960s, Aunt Bernie married Merle Houston, a childhood friend. They were married until his death in 1980. After Uncle Merles death, Aunt Bernie retired and moved to Compton, California. While in Compton, she was a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles and Long Beach Unified School Districts. Aunt Bernie was so proud of her family, her race and her Catholic faith. When referred to be from a “poverty stricken” family by a reporter interviewing her for the Off the Beaten Path newspaper, she responded by saying, “I object!” “We have always enjoyed an enriched home life characterized by good books, music and a cultural background, created by a highly intelligent and zealous mother and an industrious and understanding father.” These qualities were instilled in Aunt Bernie, our Mother, Mary Ruth and Aunt Marg and they passed these qualities on to us. Her favorite things were the casinos, her Chicago Cubs and the Angels, crossword puzzle, the L.A. Times and her family. Even though Aunt Bernie never had any children of her own, we were her children. She is survived by: Eleven Nieces and Nephews: Carole Smith-Gilmore (Rodney), Rev. Dr. Gale Smith, Floyd Smith, Jr. (Yvette), Muriel Smith-Williams in (Gregory), Stuart Smith (Rose) and Yvette Smith-Winans (Reggie Sr.). Twelve Grand Nieces and Nephews: Arlena Gilmore, Eric Smith, Kelly Smith-Vaughn, Rodney Gilmore, lll (Tiffany), Roderick Gilmore (Nicole), Reggie Winans Jr., Justin Masters (Amanda), Melinda Hooker-Quintqnilla (Manuel), Rachel Smith- Ellison (Maniel), Danielle Kydd-Chambers (Paul), Larry Mead, and Demetrius Smith (Alicia). Fourteen Great-Grand Nieces and Nephews: Stella Gilmore, Madison, Rodney IV and Gavin Gilmore, Devin, Alexis and Terrell Vaughn, Nicole Chambers, Tony, Troy and Joaquin Quintqnilla, and Alajah and Prince Smith and many friends. Thank you, Auntie, for your strength, guidance and love. You taught us to be proud of who we are and where we came from. We love you, Auntie, and we will miss you. God Bless You. Visitation Location Not Available Tuesday 11/26, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Service Location Not Available Tuesday 11/26, 7:00 pm Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3760 N. McKinley St Corona, CA Wednesday 11/27, 10:30 am Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery Staging Area #4 Thursday 1/1