Bernice Hazel Arnold, 73 of Abell, MD died September 19, 2011 at her residence. Born May 20, 1938 in Burnsville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Fox and Mafra (Bailey) Fox.

Bernice was a life member of the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, Co. 59. She joined the Rescue Squad as one of the first female members in September of 1978. Bernice was an active EMT-B and IV Technician until the time of her passing. She had served 17 years as a Squad Lieutenant and Chairperson of the member equipment/pager and radio issues. Bernice was in her 34th year of service to the Rescue Squad and was consistently the top responder to calls. As an example, over the past 3 years, Bernice averaged 700 calls per year in a squad that has had about 800 calls per year for the last few years.

In 2005, Bernice was installed into the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame in recognition of her dedication to the volunteer EMS system. Also in 2005, she was nominated for, and received the Josiah Hunt, M.D. EMS person of the year for the state of Maryland at the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention in Ocean City.

During Bernice's 34 years of service to the rescue squad, she was one of the most active members, attending virtually every meeting, drill, training session, standby, fund raising event, and call response as mentioned previously. She ran 5 duty nights each week with rare exception, and even filled in for other squad members at times on the remaining 2 nights of the week and at times when the squad had multiple calls. There were many occasions where the squad may have "scratched a call" or failed to respond had it not been for Bernice's dedication and commitment to the squad. There will never be another member quite like her.

Bernice is survived by her children, Mary Sue Joy (Larry) of Hollywood, MD, and Pat Arnold (Kathy) of Bushwood, MD, grandchildren, Erika Jiang, Zach Joy, Emily Arnold, and Jesse Arnold, and great grandchildren, Korrin Joy, Eli Jiang and Lilly Jiang. She is also survived by her siblings, Bill Fox, Lola Bradford, Claudine Arrowood, Shirley Fox, James Fox, and Phillip Fox all of Burnsville, NC. In addition to her husband, Francis H. Arnold, she was preceded in death by sisters Virginia Thompson and Mary Sue Garland.

Family will receive friends for Bernice's Life Celebration on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Holy Angels Church, 21340 Colton's Point Road, Avenue MD 20609. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Angels Church with Reverend Michael Tietjen as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jesse Arnold, Zach Joy, Wayne Jiang, Richard Colliflower, Todd Hayden, Aaron Fenwick, Don Cather and Matt Colliflower. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad and Auxillary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.,Leonardtown, MD.