Bernard Lee Harlow

HARLOW, Bernard Lee, 77, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2008. He passed away peacefully at home as a result of lymphoma. Born January 7, 1931 in Staunton, Va., to the late Lloyd Aston Harlow and Bernice Kidd Harlow, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris H. Hutcheson. Bernard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Thornton Harlow; and his children, Debra Boyer and her husband, Phillip, Ron Harlow and his wife, Emilie, and Robin Osborne and her husband, Alan; and nine grandchildren, Ian, Ben, Jesse, Josie, and Josiah Boyer, Davis and Kirby Harlow, and Alan and Garrett Osborne. With a ready smile and optimistic outlook, Bernard was a blessing to many throughout his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and went on to earn a B.S. in business from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was employed for 25 years at Miller Manufacturing Company in various positions including vice president and secretary. Later, Bernard was co-founder and president of Woodland Industries, from which he retired in 1986. A member of New Highland Baptist Church, formerly East Highland Park Baptist Church, Bernard faithfully served in many capacities including deacon, trustee, and chairman of the building committees. The family will receive friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home on Thursday, October 2, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 3, at New Highland Baptist Church, 9200 New Ashcake Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116. Interment to follow at Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of New Highland Baptist Church.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.