Bernice J. Hitchens, 88, of Hebron, Maryland passed away Monday, April 19, 2010 at Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury, Maryland. She was born on December 10, 1921 in Accomac, Virginia, a daughter of the late Clarence E. Curtis and Bertha Rowley Curtis. Mrs. Hitchens worked at Central Drugs in Salisbury for 25 years; she was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Hebron, and a lifetime member of the Hebron Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by a brother, Emery Curtis of Ellendale, three nieces, Joy Foskey and her husband Alton, Joyce Rathel and Linda Cornelius and her husband Gary, all of Salisbury; a nephew, Steven Swift of Florida; great nieces and great nephews, Norman and Angela Bennett of Mardela Springs, Wallace Bennett, Jr. of Salisbury, Ricky Robinson of Vienna, Melanie Bollingberg of Alexandria, Va, Ricky Cornelius of San Antonio, Texas, and Kaila Cornelius of Salisbury; 3 great great nieces, Hailea and Makaila Bennett of Mardela Springs and Samantha Bollingberg of Alexandria, Va; a great great nephew, Nate Robinson of Vienna; and two brothers-in-law, Steve Swift of Florida and Bobby Hitchens of Salisbury. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her roommate, Florence, for always being there for her. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hitchens was preceded in death by her husband, William John "Buck" Hitchens; a daughter, Patricia VanHouten; four sisters, Mary Morris, Pearl Harris, Nellie Windsor, and Mable Curtis; and a brother, Ernest Curtis. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in Hebron Cemetery. Minister Mark Billiter will officiate. Arrangements are in the care of the Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.