Mary Bernadette Wise Tolson entered into eternal rest on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Clinton, Maryland. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Dana Tolson Blake and loving son, Donald G. Tolson II; grandchildren Kristopher Tucker, Keyona Tolson, Julian Archer and Darrius Archer; great-grandsons Korey and Jorden Henderson and a host of other relatives and numerous friends.

She was born in Newton Grove, NC and relocated to Washington, DC in 1958. Bernadette had an illustrious work career starting with C&P Telephone Company, Freedmen's Hospital and culminating with her legendary and politically charged career with the District of Columbia Government in the Department of Employment Services, as well as serving under five mayors and known as the "Go To Person" in DC Government.

The interment will be on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Newton Grove, NC