Bernice Duane Elliott

Bernice Duane Elliott went to his Heavenly home with the Lord on Wednesday, September 2nd at the age of 82. Bernice was born on November 2, 1943 in Irving, Texas, the youngest of three children, to Aaron Burr Elliott, Jr. and Lois Irene Jones Elliott. He grew up with a strong sense of church and family. He and his siblings enjoyed playing together and spent a lot of time with their cousins during their younger years. His family spent many summers camping when he was younger.

He graduated from Abilene Wylie High School in May of 1962 where he was named "Mr. Wylie High School". On July 27, 1962, he married Bobbie Lanelle Howard and together they spent over 62 wonderful years building a lasting legacy.

Bernice's job with Safeway would take he and his family from Abilene to Ballinger to Brownwood and finally back to Ballinger where Bernice became a salesman for Mueller's Inc. in 1976. Bernice was a devoted husband and father and raised his sons to love the Lord and to be honorable men.

Life was busy with their three sons, Ronnie, David and Gary. Bobbie and Bernice were very involved with the Baseball Little League Association coaching and running the concession stand, and enjoyed nothing more than watching their sons participate in a variety of sports and activities. During this time, they also found their lifelong church family at Seventh Street Baptist Church where Bernice was a deacon and Bobbie was a Sunday school teacher and organist. Bernice was on the finance committee for many years and helped with every improvement or construction project the church and its members decided to dive into.

Bernice was a God-loving, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the most honorable, kind, compassionate and giving man that any of us has ever known. Bernice's family called "Dad" and "Papa" often with questions about how something worked, how to fix something, or just to get advice about something. There was nothing he couldn't repair, build or create. He even enjoyed quilting with Bobbie and did it exactly how she instructed!

If their sons or grandchildren were in a sporting event, they would be there. It didn't matter if it was raining, sleeting or burning hot, you would see them cheering.

Bernice is preceded in death by his mother and father, his wife of 62 years and many dear friends and family members.

Bernice is survived by his son, Ronnie Elliott, and his children Chad Elliott (wife Brittney), Cody Elliott (wife Brittany), Kimberly Aldridge (husband John), and Abigail Elliott, ten great-grandchildren Jack, Jude, Ruby, Reese, Reagan, Lizzie, Lily Ann, Linley, Addi and Levi; his son, David Elliott and his wife Tammy, their children Chris (wife Tana) and Ashley, three more great-grandchildren Cambryn, Daxon and Adley; and his son, Gary Elliott, and his wife Cathy, and their sons, Jason and Ryan. Bernice is also survived by his fiercely loyal siblings, Curtis Elliott and Bertha Dodson, along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and treasured, extended family.

A visitation for Bernice will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the chapel at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas. His funeral service will follow on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 am at Seventh Street Baptist Church in Ballinger, Texas with Jordan Burrell officiating. 

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the special souls at Shannon Medical Center and Shannon South Hospice Unit who looked after and cared for Bernice and his sons as they would their own family.