Roy Elmer Bernard

Kingsport lost its best dancer on January 6, 2026, as Roy Elmer Bernard, 85, passed away in Knoxville, TN. Elmer was born on July 9, 1940, in Kingsport, TN, where he lived for most of his life. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1958 and attended ETSU briefly before he found his passion—dancing. If you knew Elmer, you knew he loved to dance. He met fellow instructor and future wife, Della Minton, at Arthur Murray Studios, and for the next 64 years, they waltzed, fox-trotted, and tangoed through life together. Elmer retired from Eastman Kodak Company as a lab analyst in 1992 with nearly 30 years of service. He was an active community member involved in the social as well as the charitable endeavors of Kingsport Moose Lodge #972, the E. Stone Drive Fraternal Order of Eagles, and more recently, Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 and the Jericho Temple. Besides dancing, Elmer enjoyed participating in the Shriner Marching Patrol, smiling and waving at thousands gathered along parade routes and raising funds to aid children at the Shriners Hospitals. He was a member of the former St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Kingsport.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lila Bernard, his younger brother, Phil, his parents-in-law, Bascom and Eliza Minton, brothers-in-law, C.B. Minton, Jr, Larry and Gary Minton and sisters-in-law Lorraine and Lulabelle Minton. He is survived by his wife, Della, daughter, Patricia (Tim) Ezzell, grandchildren William and Sophie Ezzell, sisters Barbara Sue Oliver and Sandra Colley, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 12, 2026, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, January 13, at noon at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home with the Rev. Gordon Brewer officiating. Committal service will follow in the Garden of the Apostles at East Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the Shriners Hospital Marching Patrol. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Ezzell, Will Ezzell, Sam Oliver, III, Tim Oliver, Josh Colley, and Seth Dorton.

The family would like to extend thanks to the special folks who cared for Elmer at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Tennova North Medical Center, and Sacred Ground Hospice House, all of Knoxville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Shriners Children’s at https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org.