Bernard Josey

Bernard Josey, 59, died on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Spartanburg Medical Center,
Spartanburg. S.C.
Bernard was born on October 29, 1964, in Sumter. He was the son of the late Manning
Josey Jr. and the late Ollie Mae Maple Josey and step-son to Rev. Roberta C. Josey, whom
he called "Mrs. J".
In 1983 he graduated from Sumter High School. He continued his studies at the University
of South Carolina, Columbia, SC where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a
major in Electrical Engineering in 1989.
Bernard began his employment in 1990 at Bell South Telecom. He then worked at Parsons
for a few years before working at AT&T until his retirement in 2021. As a skilled engineer,
he designed, engineered, issued and managed to completion jobs ranging in scale from a
few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars.
He was a member of the SC Society of Professional Engineers (SCSPE) and the National
Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).
Bernard's hobbies included building and upgrading his computers, listening to music,
reading science magazines, as well as reading books and watching television series/movies
in the science fiction and fantasy genre.
Bernard rarely used nicknames for others, however, he affectionately tolerated being called
Bernie and Bern by close family and friends. He loved his family and was much beloved in
return. Though Bernard relocated from Sumter to Spartanburg after graduating college, he
visited and stayed in touch as often as he could.
Survivors include his aunts, F. Marie Josey of Englewood, NJ: Cynthia Josey of Sumter,
SC: Thelma (Clarence) Maple Johnson of Covington, GA: Wonda Dianne Maple Williams of
Stone Mountain, GA: Grace Maple Jackson of Washington, D.C.; uncles, David (Phyllis)
Josey of Teaneck, NJ: Leon (Nancy) Josey of Brockton, MA: Ted Josey of Columbia, SC:
Darrell (Belinda) Josey of Sumter, SC; two stepbrothers, Manning Brown Jr. (Lakima) and
William Paul Brown of Sumter, SC; two stepsisters, Sharon (Reuben) Lawrence and Linda
(Roger) Knowles both of Marietta, GA; a special cousin Kellen Bernard Blanding of Sumter,
SC, and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents Manning Jr. and Ollie, Bernard was preceded in death by his twin sisters Debra Ann and Sandra Ann Josey: paternal grandparents Manning Sr. & Georgia M. Black Josey: paternal great grandparents Jeff & Beulah Jenkins Josey, and Albert Black & Carrie R. Sigler Black Green: paternal great-great grandparents Jim & Magg Jenkins and Jim & Emma Wade Sigler: maternal grandparents Moody & Thelma James Maple: maternal great-great-grandparents Daniel & Rhoda Maple and Jim & Rosa Lee James, and aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends
Bernard is dearly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please. make a donation to your favorite charity in Bernard's name.
I Stood On The Banks Of Jordan
Stood on the banks of Jordan one day
"To see the ship go sailing over"
I stood on the banks of Jordan, yes I did Lord
"To see the ship go by"
I stood on the banks of Jordan, thank God
"To see the ship go sailing over"
I stood on the banks of Jordan one day my Lord, Lord
"To see the ship to see the ship of Zion go by"
And when I saw it, I said,
Lord I got my ticket, please don't leave me down here
You took my Father you came back and got my Mother,
You took everything to me that was so dear
And all I can do,
Is stand there on the banks of Jordan, Mother was going home
"To see the ship go sailing over"
I stood there on the banks Jordan, Lord have mercy, I had
"To see her ship go by"
(Excerpt) Lyrics by James Cleveland
The Lord's Prayer (Traditional)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from the evil one.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.