Bernardine McBride

Bernardine McBride affectionately called (The Mighty Berna) was granted her Angel wings on 29 November 2024. She was the “super star” aunt, maybe because she was the youngest aunt. During her last days at George Washington Health & Rehabilitation, Bernardine was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Emma Lovingood, and sisters Veronica Dixon, Betty Jo Herring, Jacqueline Hargrow and Yvonne Lucas.

Bernardine was born on 24 February 1940 and was the youngest of five girls and one boy.  Bernardine was raised in her beloved city of Alexandria, Virginia. She attended Saint Joseph Catholic School on Columbus Street and Parker Gray High School. As the youngest, Bernardine was a handful to say the least. Her sisters would take turns watching her; if they could find her. On those hot summer days in Alexandria, the sisters would discover Bernardine fearlessly swimming close to the shore in the Potomac River, since there were no public swimming pools for Black people to swim in during that time.

Bernardine entered the workforce in 1965 and was hired by the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) in Washington DC. Her job consisted of packing pharmaceutical prescriptions for shipment to pharmacies throughout the country. Bernadine’s exceptional math and organization skills, coupled with her work ethic, was rewarded by her being promoted to floor supervisor.  Wanting to be closer to home, Bernardine obtained employment with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) where she worked in Building Maintenance and obtained a position as a Bus Monitor for children with disabilities. She retired from ACPS with over 25 years of service. 

After retirement, Bernardine joined the Gum Springs Women’s Club. Bernardine looked forward to the casino trips and restaurant outings for birthdays and other special occasions. Her friends said she was the life of the party. Her genuine caring and compassion for others will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Bernardine was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2016. Her tenacious spirit carried her throughout the trials and tribulations she faced during her last year on Earth. She did not let her ailments keep her down; even in her final days she still maintained her sense of humor. We would like to thank Ultimate Care and care givers Afua Asamoah, Regina Peprah, Comfort, Esther Boateng and Austria Quainoo for their compassionate in-home care of Bernardine. Their unselfish dedication allowed Bernardine to live comfortably in her home until she was transferred to George WashingtonHealth & Rehabilitation during her final days.

Bernardine leaves to cherish her memory two daughters: Jacqueline McBride and Carmen Edmonds (Robert) of Alexandria, VA; two sons: Mario (Debra) of Charlottesville, VA; and Zachary McBride (Debbie) of Woodbridge, VA; eight grandchildren: Sahron Washington, James McBride, Summer McBride, Meghan McBride, Asja Butler, Amber McBride, Kiaya McBride, and Heather McBride; six great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; one brother: Thomas Lovingood; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and countless friends. She will be dearly missed.

While Bernardine may be gone physically, her spirit remains in all of us. Her smile is reflected in the sun and her laugh in the wind that gentle grazes your cheek. Her beauty shines in the sunset and that wonderful mischievous glint in her eye can be found in the stars. We carry her wisdom in our daily actions—in how we care for one another. She loved her family and friends and tried to do her best by everyone.

We are grateful for all the laughs, the endless jokes and the love that Bernardine gave so graciously throughout her life.  

Fly High Mighty Berna!

POEM BY MARIO McBRIDE, excerpt from Onyx and Beyond

WHEN MAMA REMEMBERS

Talk to her all night long

when she remembers how

she used to cut worms in half

& pretend she had wings

as a kid, just like me.

‘Cause this disease

is genuine.

I can’t go backward

so I love Mama in the present.

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