Bernelle became a member of Inner Light Community Gospel choir in 1995 and is currently serving as the Fund Raiser.

She is a native of Bermuda and lived in Santa Barbara for 29 years. She graduated from Ontario Business College in Belleville, Canada and the Creative School of Photography in Toronto, Canada. She had her own businesses, Bernelle's Photo Shop, and was owner and administrator of BerLyn Homes for Youth here in Santa Barbara. She was Manager of a mobile home park and an apartment complex for 11 years and served as President of the Western Mobile Home Association in Santa Barbara County. Bernelle has been a member of The Salvation Army for over 40 years and is very actively involved with the Christian Organization.