Poppy enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, traveling and gardening. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the City of Jacksonville and retired after 35 years of service. Bernard was a faithful member of the Fruit Cove Baptist Unity Class. Over the course of his lifetime, he touched many lives with his acts of kindness and openness to share Jesus with everyone he met.
Bernard was predeceased in death by his brother, Melvin and sisters, Joyce Tanner, Betty Wishard and Lorene Smith. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruth; daughter, Shelli Hutcheson (Jim); son, Mark (Kelle); grandchildren, Justin, Brandon, Andrew (Amber), Tyler, Morgan, and Jarret; 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Laverne Conner, Shirley Robbins, and Florene Markham; along with many nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Safeer Ashraf and his staff, along with the caregivers and physicians at Baptist Medical Center South, and River Garden Hebrew Home.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19th with visitation one hour prior to service in Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Road 501 St. Johns, FL 32259 with Dr. Tim Maynard and Rev. Charles Ragland as Officiants. A private interment will be in Jacksonville Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bernard’s name to the Lymphoma Society or Fruit Cove Baptist Church.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.
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