Elizabeth M. Bernard

Elizabeth M. Bernard peacefully departed this world with members of her family by her side at Heritage Hall in Leesburg, Virginia on May 1, 2022. Elizabeth was born to the late John and Martha MaGee in Suffolk, Virginia on July 9, 1925. Even though she moved to Harlem, New York at the age of 2, she spent her summers in Suffolk, Va. with family members. It was during one of those summers that she met her soulmate, Malcolm Boone Bernard. They were married on July 18, 1941 and remained married for over 46 years until his death in 1988. Elizabeth and Malcolm were the proud parents of three sons: Malcolm, Jr. John, and Cecil Vann. Until her family relocated her to Northern Virginia last October 2021, Elizabeth was an active member of First Baptist Church of Mahan Street for more than 75 years. She was known for helping others and always doing it with a smile and a kind word. Lizzie, as she was affectionally called by many of her friends, had a long career at Universal Insurance Company. Prior to working at Universal, she served as the 1st African American crossing guard in Suffolk, Virginia. She retired from Universal Insurance with over 35 years of service. Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with her family particularly her grandchildren and great-grands. She had several hobbies including shopping, sewing, dancing, and playing cards. Everyone in Suffolk knew her as the queen of the “early bird shopping,” she never missed a sale. Everyone knew she really loved to dance and was always moving to the beat. She was an excellent seamstress. She also loved to travel. She and Malcolm were avid travelers. Before his death, they often traveled with their sons along with their wives. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm Sr, two of her sons, Malcolm, Jr. and John, and a daughter-in-law, Sylvia. She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Cecil Vann (Pamela) of Leesburg, Va; two additional daughter-in-laws, Barbara (widow of Malcolm, Jr.) of Princeton, NJ, and Deborah (widow of John) of Marietta, Ga; five granddaughters and their families: Michele Bernard, Carla Miller (Damian), Korynne Bernard, Cortney Giagnacova (Andrew) and Kelly Bernard; Six great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022 at East End Baptist Church. She will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth M. Bernard, please visit our flower store.