Evelyn Mae Berns

Evelyn Mae Berns, age 93, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at BrightView Avondell Senior Living in Bel Air, Maryland.

Evelyn was born January 2, 1928, in Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Emmett Arven Gregg and Martha Eva (Ashburn) Gregg. Evelyn attended Garnett High School.

Evelyn married James Richard Smith on April 6, 1946. This union produced two children, Elizabeth (Liz) and James Richard II (Ricky).

Evelyn married Colonel Robert James Berns in 1972 and was married to him until his death in January 2016.

Evelyn lived in various places during her life as a wife of military personnel. Places include Terminal Island Long Beach, California; Schofield Barracks Oahu, Hawaii; Crain Naval Support Activity Crain, Indiana; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Kenitra, Morocco; Key West, Florida; Taipei, Taiwan; Rome, New York; Grandview, Missouri; and San Antonio, Texas; prior to moving to Bel Air, Maryland.

Evelyn loved playing bridge and was within a few points of becoming a Grand Master. While living at BrightView she taught various residents on the basic principles of how to play bridge.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, Emmitt and Eva Gregg; first husband, James Richard Smith; second husband, Robert James Berns; son, Ricky; and brother, Robert “Sonny” Gregg.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Jones and husband Robert of Edgewood; one grandson, Tim Jones and wife Angela of North Potomac, Maryland; one granddaughter, Kimberly Bley and husband Christopher of Joppa, Maryland; 4 great grandchildren, Taylor, Parker, Carter, and Peyton; 2 step-daughters Leslie Robinson of Omaha, Nebraska, Carol Snavely and husband of Kansas City, Kansas; one brother, Melvin Gregg of Leavenworth, Kansas; and one sister, Delores Gillespie of College Station, Texas.