Bernard Charles Bodison, Sr.

Bernard Charles Bodison, Sr. was born on October 13, 1945, in Colleton County, South Carolina, as the eldest of nine children to the late Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Dorothy Youngblood Bodison. He departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He received his formal education in the Colleton County School System and graduated from Colleton High School in the Class of 1963.

At an early age, Charles, as he was affectionately known, joined Canaan Baptist Church where he served as the clerk of the church and Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He also served as a treasurer with the Old Ashley Baptist Association.

Charles served his country 20 years as a member in the United States Army and also served in the United States Air Force Reserves. He was a Desert Storm Veteran. He is a graduate of Rice Business College with a degree in Higher Accounting and Trident Technical College with an Associate’s degree in Public Service (Criminal Justice). For over 40 years, he was a civil service employee with the federal government working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), retiring in 2012. Intending to substitute teach for a few months led to him becoming a teaching assistant in the Colleton County School System for over a decade before retiring again.

Charles enjoyed numerous interests: accounting, fishing, cooking, spending time with family, gardening, bowling, and traveling. He also enjoyed reading and was part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Strickland 55, where he was a member of the Honor Guard and the Douglas Lodge #277. In addition to these interests, he also ran Bodison Income Tax Services for many years.

He was united in holy matrimony to Vera McKnight Bodison and recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. He took great pride in their union, and they enjoyed many trips and vacations over the years.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Vera McKnight Bodison of Walterboro, SC; Two daughters, Vernisa Y. Bodison of Summerville, SC and Tiffany Gist-Johnson (Melvin) of Frederick, MD; Two sons, Bernard C. Bodison, Jr. (LaChandra) of Savannah, GA; Robert N. Bodison (Pearl) of Round O, SC; Six grandchildren, Lauren Gist (Granddaughter) who preceded him in death, Tyler Bodison, Braylon Charles Bodison, Branson Charles Bodison, Brock Charles Bodison, and Romello Bodison; Three sisters, Ruby Wigfall (Elijah), Claudia Payton (George), and Cynthia Smith (Fulton); Five brothers, James Calvin Bodison who preceded him in death, Herbert Bodison, Jr. (Barbara), Gregory Bodison, Michael Bodison, and Marlin Bodison; A sister-in-law, Louise Rand Brown and Three brothers-in-law, Robert McKnight, Jr., Alphonso McKnight who preceded him in death and Sylvester McKnight; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and loving friends.

The Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Bernard Bodison, Sr., are as follows:
Tuesday (January 10, 2023)
Public Viewing-3:00PM Hamilton’s Funeral Home (218 Pearson Street, Walterboro, SC)

4:00PM- Douglas Lodge #277, Last Rites Service, Hamilton’s Funeral Home (218 Pearson Street, Walterboro, SC)

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
1:00PM- Celebration of Life Service at Faith Church (858 Bells Highway,
Walterboro, SC 29488)

Thursday, January 12, 2023
11:00AM- Interment Services at the Beaufort  National Cemetery,
(1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29906)
We truly appreciate your fervent prayers.
Questions? Please contact Hamilton's at
843-549-5502.

Thank you,
The Bodison Family

ATTENTION: Due to the COVID- 19 virus pandemic  and in the effort to help stop the spread of the Virus. Walk through viewing only and please remember that face masks must be worn at all times as you enter funeral home and service. We will only allow a certain number of individuals inside the funeral home at one time. Please, remember to keep your distance as much as possible, and wash and sanitize your hands. Thank you for your cooperation and with helping us to do our part in stopping the spread of the Virus.

Please leave the Family a note of Condolence, light a candle of remembrance, or order a floral remembrance piece.  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where  I am, there ye may be also.  And whether I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:1-4

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