Obituary for Bernard L. Ford, Sr.
Bernard L. Ford of Amelia Virginia died Thursday, July 4, 2019, at Henrico Doctors' Hospital at age 70. He was born July 30, 1948, in Crewe Virginia, the fifth of eleven children born to Bernard and Betty Ford.
Bernard was educated in the Nottoway County School System. While attending Luther H. Foster High School, Bernard developed a passion for baseball and assumed the position of pitcher for the school's baseball team his eleventh and twelfth grade school years.
After completing high school, Bernard's future seemed very bright, he had the love of his life (literally) by his side. High school sweethearts, Bernard and Trudy were married on June 3, 1967.
Welcoming their first born Anthony on August 2, 1967, Bernard gained employment with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., where he was employed for over twenty years. He and his wife added to the family four more children: Bernard Jr., Demetrius, LaTonya and KeShara.
While working with the company Bernard was introduced to Christ by fellow co-worker Minister Farrar. After being invited and attending a holy-ghost filled service at Commandment Apostolic Faith Holiness Church, Pastored by Evangelist Venable, he surrendered his life (that very service) to the Lord and never looked back.
Attending Sunday evening service, a visiting church, S. I. Edwards Memorial Sabbath Apostolic Church, under the leadership of Bishop Willie G. Suggs presided and ushered in the presence of the Lord so strong and mighty that Bernard decided to make he and his family members of Bishop Suggs' branch of Zion.
Having a zeal to please the Lord, serve his family, church and community, Bernard began to seek God for his purpose. After years of dedicated service he was deemed Minister of Music and led the youth choir.
Being moved by the Holy Spirit, Minister Ford was led to Cellar Creek Baptist Church where under the tutelage of Pastor Willie E. King, he was licensed and ordained. Serving there for sometime, God then commissioned him to pastor at Promise Land Baptist Church. After dedicating many hours of labor in the vineyard, God saw fit to move Bernard and family to their next assignment. With much prayer and supplication, Pastor and his wife began fellowship with The Faith Word Church of Powhatan Virginia (Pastor Tony Bassett presiding). Fulfilling all that was required of God, his journey led him to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as interim-pastor until his passing.
His love for ministry was not just a calling, it was a chosen path. A pathway that led to his ministering over the many highways (approximately thirty years) he traveled on. Driving tractor trailer allowed him to cross ways with many strangers that today he calls brothers and sisters of the faith. Countless souls were baptized and saved because of his obedience to the word of God. A true soldier in the Army of the Lord.
Bernard affectionately know as "Lunco" was loved and admired by many. He leaves to cherish many fond memories, his beloved wife and rock of fifty-two (52) years, Trudy; sons: Anthony (Amelia), Bernard Jr., Demetrius and daughters LaTonya Wilkes (John) and KeShara Eanes (Jawaski); Grandchildren: DaMontrieus, Iveshia, Alexis, Christian, Adra, Cameron, Jawaski Jr., My'Aya, and Kyndall; One Great Grandchild A'Mia.
With much honor and respect he leaves behind brothers: Andrew (Myra), Henry, Tyree (Jeanette) and Eric (Sandra); Sisters, Velma and Vanessa (Chris); two sister-in-laws: Tine Brisbane (Micheal), Neda Douglas (Keith) and one brother-in-law Albert Johnson (Dorothia), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Viewing for Mr. Ford will be held at W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home, Blackstone on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 11am until 8pm and at Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home in Amelia on Friday, July 12, 2019 from 11am until 8pm.
Funeral Services Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 12:00 noon at Amelia High School Auditorium, 8500 Otterburn Rd., Amelia.
Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home of Amelia in charge of arrangements.
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Bernard was educated in the Nottoway County School System. While attending Luther H. Foster High School, Bernard developed a passion for baseball and assumed the position of pitcher for the school's baseball team his eleventh and twelfth grade school years.
After completing high school, Bernard's future seemed very bright, he had the love of his life (literally) by his side. High school sweethearts, Bernard and Trudy were married on June 3, 1967.
Welcoming their first born Anthony on August 2, 1967, Bernard gained employment with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., where he was employed for over twenty years. He and his wife added to the family four more children: Bernard Jr., Demetrius, LaTonya and KeShara.
While working with the company Bernard was introduced to Christ by fellow co-worker Minister Farrar. After being invited and attending a holy-ghost filled service at Commandment Apostolic Faith Holiness Church, Pastored by Evangelist Venable, he surrendered his life (that very service) to the Lord and never looked back.
Attending Sunday evening service, a visiting church, S. I. Edwards Memorial Sabbath Apostolic Church, under the leadership of Bishop Willie G. Suggs presided and ushered in the presence of the Lord so strong and mighty that Bernard decided to make he and his family members of Bishop Suggs' branch of Zion.
Having a zeal to please the Lord, serve his family, church and community, Bernard began to seek God for his purpose. After years of dedicated service he was deemed Minister of Music and led the youth choir.
Being moved by the Holy Spirit, Minister Ford was led to Cellar Creek Baptist Church where under the tutelage of Pastor Willie E. King, he was licensed and ordained. Serving there for sometime, God then commissioned him to pastor at Promise Land Baptist Church. After dedicating many hours of labor in the vineyard, God saw fit to move Bernard and family to their next assignment. With much prayer and supplication, Pastor and his wife began fellowship with The Faith Word Church of Powhatan Virginia (Pastor Tony Bassett presiding). Fulfilling all that was required of God, his journey led him to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as interim-pastor until his passing.
His love for ministry was not just a calling, it was a chosen path. A pathway that led to his ministering over the many highways (approximately thirty years) he traveled on. Driving tractor trailer allowed him to cross ways with many strangers that today he calls brothers and sisters of the faith. Countless souls were baptized and saved because of his obedience to the word of God. A true soldier in the Army of the Lord.
Bernard affectionately know as "Lunco" was loved and admired by many. He leaves to cherish many fond memories, his beloved wife and rock of fifty-two (52) years, Trudy; sons: Anthony (Amelia), Bernard Jr., Demetrius and daughters LaTonya Wilkes (John) and KeShara Eanes (Jawaski); Grandchildren: DaMontrieus, Iveshia, Alexis, Christian, Adra, Cameron, Jawaski Jr., My'Aya, and Kyndall; One Great Grandchild A'Mia.
With much honor and respect he leaves behind brothers: Andrew (Myra), Henry, Tyree (Jeanette) and Eric (Sandra); Sisters, Velma and Vanessa (Chris); two sister-in-laws: Tine Brisbane (Micheal), Neda Douglas (Keith) and one brother-in-law Albert Johnson (Dorothia), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Viewing for Mr. Ford will be held at W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home, Blackstone on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 11am until 8pm and at Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home in Amelia on Friday, July 12, 2019 from 11am until 8pm.
Funeral Services Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 12:00 noon at Amelia High School Auditorium, 8500 Otterburn Rd., Amelia.
Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home of Amelia in charge of arrangements.
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