Berneice Dinius

Berneice Dinius, the daughter of James Henry and Ethel Caroline (Parnell) Trammell was born on Christmas Eve 1919 in a small farmhouse south of Prague. Her parents bought their small farm in 1913. Berneice graduated from Centerview High School in 1937, but because of the depression and lack of funds she did not enter college until the spring semester of 1938. She attended East Central College in Ada until funds ran out. Her brother Albert and his wife were living near San Marcos, Texas and they helped her financially to finish college at Southeast Texas State College in San Marcos. Her teaching career began in 1941 in Maner, Texas and she taught there until 1943. She returned to Oklahoma to teach in Beggs for three years. When her brother was transferred to New Mexico in 1946, she applied for a teaching job in Roswell where she taught English for 16 years in junior and senior high. In Roswell, she met her future husband, Harry Albert Dinius. They were married in a double ceremony in the family home in Prague on July 23, 1947, with her youngest sister Loydale and her husband, James Albert Treat. Harry was transferred to Oklahoma City in 1962, and Berneice taught at Capitol Hill High School for five years. The couple bought the family farm, where they built a new home. She taught another 16 years at Shawnee High School. Many years after her retirement, her students from Shawnee High School would stop her and comment that she looked exactly the same as she did then and tell her how much they valued her teaching. Berneice was a kind and loving Aunt and the community and family historian.

Berneice passed away October 6, 2023, in the home that she and Harry built. She was only a few months shy of her 104th Birthday. Berneice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters Irene Lyon, Beatrice Gutierrez, Loydale Treat, and Sharon Kay Gibson, and her brothers Albert Trammell and James H. Trammell.

Survivors include her brother Bill Trammel of Midwest city and numerous nieces and nephews.

Berneice was cared for in her home with the wonderful assistance of Aids and Nurses from Choice Hospice of Shawnee.

The family has asked that in lieu of Flowers, a memorial donation be made to the charity of your choice.