Bernie Mac: Wife Knew Death Was Looming

By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

The untimely demise of beloved comedian Bernie Mac came as a shock to many of his fans and friends in the entertainment community, but his loving wife knew it was near.

"He didn't look good to me and I knew this could be it," Rhonda McCullough, his wife of 30 years, said in an interview with 'People' magazine.

The 50-year-old comedian – who suffered from sarcoidosis -- died Aug. 9 of complications due to pneumonia after a week-long stay at a Chicago area hospital.

The couple's last exchange was a day before his death.

"I said, 'Hey Bernard. How are you?' and I kissed his forehead," she recalled of her bedside vigil. "He shrugged his shoulders, like 'I'm tired' and I said, 'I know you're tired.' Later on that night, it took a turn for the worse."

Word for Word - July 11, 2008

"I got a letter from a girl who said she was listening to one of my songs and every time I hit a particular high note, the garage door would open or close." -- Mariah Carey encounters some unusual problems with her a five-octave vocal range.

Charley Gallay, Getty Images

"Have I ever been totally and completely intimidated by another person? Yes, my husband's mother." -- Madonna fears Guy Ritchie's mom.

Tony Barson, WireImage.com

"There's brilliant jazz - Miles Davis. And there's brilliant rock - Coldplay. And there's brilliant rap - Jiggaman!" -- Jay-Z, tooting his own horn.

Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images

"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of him on my chest." -- First-time father Usher is planning to ink a tribute to his seven-month-old baby son Usher Raymond V.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

The 71-year-old actor says, "I've got to suggest his voice and his speech without making a fool of myself." --Morgan Freeman

John Shearer, WireImage.com

"Bug-A-Boo or Bootylicious. I hate 'em." -- Beyonce Knowles isn't a fan of all her Destiny's Child songs.

George Pimentel, WireImage.com

"I've been working out really hard lately 'cause I'm single now and I've gotta look good!" -- Jessica Simpson shapes up to get back into the dating scene.

Chris Farina, WireImage.com

"When I come home from a club, my wish is to have a huge bowl of Frosted Flakes. I only have it once in a blue moon - because I can't have just one bowl." -- Janet Jackson on her late night snacking choice.

Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com

She and the couple's 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece, were ushered into a waiting room, where they received the grim news. "[The doctor] came in and I said, 'He's gone, isn't he?' and she said 'yes,' " she revealed.

Bernie Mac's memorial service will be held at noon Aug. 16 at Chicago's House of Hope mega-church.

McCullough told the magazine that she's comforted by the support of her family and memories of the man she first met while attending Chicago Vocational High School.

Donations in the 'Kings of Comedy' star's honor may be sent to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. 9th St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60605

Bernie Mac Quotes

On Parenting ...
"You got Dracula - a wooden stake; Wolfman - a silver bullet. But little boys, a belt." The Bernie Mac Show.

On a career as an actor
"You've go to pay your dues. You go from A to Z, you don't go from M to Z. You have to prove yourself, and you've got to put yourself in that position. I got the patience of Job, so I'm not in a hurry." -- 2003 Interview

On Marriage ...
"All you can do is admit that you're wrong and know that she's always right." -- Guess Who

On what comedy is ...
"Comedy comes from the heart and from the soul. You can learn to tell a joke. But being funny comes from inside." -- Mac's book "I Ain't Scared of You"

On Men ...
"Man is a sexual being." -- Bad Santa

On determination ...
"Wherever I am, I have to play, I have to put on a good show." -- 2002

On being poor ...
"We were poor. You know how to tell is a person's poor? You look in the frige. If there's nothing in there but bologna. We're talking serious poor. Mmm. But that bologna was good." -- Mac, in his book "Maybe You Never Cry Again"

+Black Voices Member: Notes on Mac's Memorial
+Bernie Mac Memorial: Stars and Fans Share Love
+Bernie Mac: Death from Sarcoidosis