Don Starling Bernard

A service celebrating the life of Don Starling Bernard will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Benton Methodist Church in Benton, Louisiana, with Reverend Brad Franklin officiating. A graveside service will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, February 8 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Benton Methodist Church. Mr. Bernard passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 4 shortly after midnight, whereafter he entered into life eternal. 

Don was born on August 27, 1955, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Henry Bernard, Sr. and Jessie Jones Bernard. He was the last of what his mother referred to as her “seven jewels”—the seven Bernard children. Don grew up in Natchitoches and graduated from Northwestern State University. He then began a career in Bossier Parish, where he met and later married Rayann Thomas in 1986. He worked as an agent for the US Department of Agriculture, forming lifelong friendships with many local farmers. 

A beloved member of his community, Don was a part of Benton Methodist Church for over 40 years. He served as a Bossier Parish Special Deputy Sheriff, rode in the mounted patrol in the posse, and spent seven years coaching Little League softball, where he instilled immeasurable confidence and the value of hard work in many young lives. 

Following a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1985 with less than a 5% chance of survival, he persevered and set his mind to living each day thereafter to the fullest. He found joy in working hard and being outdoors, and he loved spending time with his horses, hunting, and mowing his yard with precision. After retirement, he enjoyed working on the farm—operating all the biggest tractors—his “vacation.” Most recently, he fulfilled a life-long dream of a successful elk hunt in New Mexico. Don believed in bringing humor to any situation and loved to make others laugh with his stories or by simply raising an eyebrow, a trait that became a personal trademark. While Don counted many blessings in his life, perhaps none were as precious to him as his family. Don was a doting father to his girls, Carolyn and Emily, and a proud “Papa” to his two granddaughters, Anna Bronwyn and Mary Alice. He made every moment special and loved to share his heart through special handwritten notes, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness. Don will be forever remembered as a man of great strength, faith, integrity, tenacity, and humor. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Bernard, Sr. and Jessie Jones Bernard; his grandparents, Louis Bernard and Lucia Cart Bernard of Iota, Louisiana; Chesley B. Jones and Emma Stafford Jones of Franklinton, Louisiana; and his sister, Emma Bernard Pitcher of Natchitoches, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Rayann Bernard; their two children: Carolyn Mary Bernard Courville and husband, Nick of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Emily Jo Bernard and husband, Fernando De Samaniego Steta of San Francisco, California; his two grandchildren, Anna Bronwyn Courville and Mary Alice Courville; his three brothers, Henry Bernard, Jr. and wife, Anna of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Louie Bernard and wife, Gayle of Natchitoches, Louisiana; Scriven Bernard and wife, Debbie of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; his two sisters, Kayla Bernard Carruth and husband, Harvey of Tigard, Oregon; and Mary Bernard Crowe and husband, Kevin of Waxhaw, North Carolina. He will be greatly missed by a host of nieces and nephews and countless friends. 

Pallbearers will be Henry Bernard, Louie Bernard, Scriven Bernard, Lee Ward, Don Copeland, Buddy Lucky, and Bob Burris (honorary). The family requests that memorials be made to Benton Methodist Church of Benton, Louisiana.

The family is deeply grateful to the many doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who cared for Don over the past forty years. To those who combined expertise with kindness, offering not just treatment but also comfort and dignity, your care made a lasting impact on him and our family. We will always be grateful for your dedication and compassion.