Neva C Bernard, of Russell Springs, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022, in the Hospice Unit of Russell County Hospital, having attained the age of 102 years.
Neva was born in 1920, on the 4th of July, daughter of the late Walter G. and Vandie Frost Black. Her husband, Buel was a linotype operator for newspapers. She and her young family traveled for work in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. They returned to Russell County in the late 1940’s, where the Bernards owned and operated the Creamy Whip, of Jamestown. Neva worked in Grider’s #1 Gift Shop for many years. She remained active in public jobs in Russell County up into her eighties, working circles around co-workers a quarter of her age.
She underwent coronary by-pass surgery in the 1980s and had stents placed in 1992. Neva outlived both of her heart surgeons. She followed her cardiac rehabilitation regimen successfully up until the last few months.
She loved her beautiful flowers and passers-by would often stop and ask Neva for starters from them. She always obliged. One of the favorites requested was from a hydrangea bush that Neva had started from her grandmother’s own.
Neva was dedicated to reading her Bible daily and never would end her day without kneeling beside her bed to pray. When her eyesight began to dim, she listened to Bro. Wayne Keith by radio and Bro. Joel Osteen by television. She enjoyed the music played in these services and would clap her hands in unison to the singing. If she had one desire, it would be that everyone would come to know and live in relationship with her Jesus.
She is survived by her daughters, Carole Landers, of Prospect, and Patti (and Avery) Owens, of Anderson, Indiana; her son-in-law, Carey Johnson, of Cumming, Georgia; her grandchildren, Jeff (and Trish) Landers, Greg (and Kelly) Landers, Pam (and Jack) Bussert, Craig (and Jeni) Owens, and Keith (and Heather) Johnson; her sister-in-law, Louise Bernard, of Jamestown; her several special great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Neva is preceded in death by her husband, Buel Bernard, who passed away on January 29, 1976; her daughter, Peggy Johnson; her son-in-law, Art “Sonny” Landers; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Clesbie Ray and LaVere Black and Frank Leon and Virginia Black.
A special “thank you” to her grandson, Jeff and his wife, Trish, for their love and care of “Granny”, and to Carol Wilson and other dedicated caregivers that have become an extended family to Neva.
Funeral services are 1:45 p.m. CST, Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Bro. Wayne Keith officiating. Interment will follow in Ridge Crest Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the Jamestown Fire Department.
Visitation will be held after 1:00 p.m. CST, Sunday, until time for services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, 100 Parkway Drive, Somerset, KY 42503.
Arrangements for Ms. Neva C Bernard are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com
