Carol W. Bernard

Our favorite teacher Carol W. Bernard entered into her heavenly home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 26, 2020. Beloved wife to Bill for over 50 years, caring mother to Holly and Pete Schoenhoff, Robby and Jennifer Bernard, loving grandmother to Kaylan, Brandon, Erich and Benjamin, sister to Charlotte and Scott, aunt to Laura, Lynn, Kate, Will, Scott, and Grayson, and daughter to Stafford and Marjorie, Carol’s life here with us was about loving God, kindness to children, and serving others before herself, with compassion and grace. Carol inspired kindness in everyone she met, with a vibrant smile, a hand to help where she could, and encouraging words. She was a child’s best advocate, and had a way of knowing just who needed a little extra encouragement to succeed, patiently mentoring both students and her fellow teachers. She taught many children to read over the years, including one who was motivated by Snickers bars and another who grew up to be a Reading Specialist. A lifelong Hampton High Crabber and James Madison Duke, she held many leadership roles at Madison, including president of the student body her senior year, and as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She taught for 18 years in Chesapeake Public Schools, was Western Branch Intermediate Teacher of the Year in 1992, and also enjoyed teaching children and adults in Sunday School as a longtime member of Green Acres Presbyterian Church. She was a talented artist with pencils, watercolors, words in print, flower arranging, or creations from her sewing machine. From reading Berenstain Bears bedtime stories to her grandchildren, putting her green thumb to work in her flower gardens, attending ODU and Tides games with Bill, baking cookies and filling a dining room table with buttercream Easter eggs to share with friends, she never stopped teaching us and showing us a true example of putting others first. She loved all animals, but especially those very lucky basset hounds and beagles adopted into the family over the years. As we walked with her through her last years as she bravely fought dementia, she continued to teach us lessons in compassion, steadfastness, faith, patience, and most of all enduring love. In lieu of flowers and in celebration of Carol’s memory, we ask that you to pass on a random or intentional act of kindness and compassion as Carol always did, or consider a gift to the Chesapeake Humane Society (www.chesapeakehumane.org) in Carol’s memory. An outdoor memorial service and entombment will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at 1 p.m. Green Acres Presbyterian Church Columbarium, 3135 Hanley Avenue, Portsmouth, Va 23703.