Bernard L. King, Sr.

Bernard L. King Sr., AKA Mickey & King Fish transitioned from this life on Sunday, September 17, 2023 Surry, Va.

If Bernard Lee was here, he’d say…

I came into this world proud and strong on December 12, 1940. My name is Bernard Lee King, Sr. My Daddy called me “Mickey”. I was the eldest child of Bernard and Pattie Mae king. I am the oldest of eight siblings. There were  two boys and six girls so you can imagine what our house was like on any given day. I had to quit school at an early age to help my family, so I became a sharecropper with my father. I worked with him until I was 17 and then I worked inside Gwaltney plant for a few years. I moved on to the shipyard for a brief stint before returning to Gwaltney where I became a truck driver for 39 years and I went by the handle “Kingfish” until my eyesight began to fail.

In my late teens I was blessed to meet and marry the love of my life Mandy Lea Blount. My wife and I met at Luther Porter Jackson High School. Now, I have told this story many times before, but it bears repeating one last time. My wife’s grandmother, Louise Easter was a devoted Christian woman. She and my wife were in church on Saturdays and Sundays without fail. We were young and wanted to spend more time together so I asked her grandmother if I could drive them to prayer service on Saturdays and she said ”Son that is a good idea.” From that day on we were together on the weekends. My wife taught  me how to testify church and I was  proud of that. Her grandmother fell in love with me and called me her son. Mansy and I dated for two years and were married August 13, 1960. Our family started to grow immediately. We had our eldest daughter Phyllis  who has taken great care of me since my wife passed. My oldest son Bernard Jr, whom I call Jr. and he’s my riding partner and confidant. Lastly my baby boy Bryant Sr. was my hunting, fishing and truck driving partner. My God blessed me with a beautiful and devoted family that I would never trade in for anything in this world! My Children have been a true blessing to me.

My passions in life were traveling  the highways in my 18-wheeler. I could remember every stop I have ever run as well as the routes to get there. I loved fishing on my boats with my wife, son and cousins. I also enjoyed years of hunting with family and friends. I loved socializing and talking about my family. I could  tell you stories  from way back yonder when I was a little boy. I will miss sharing my wisdom, but I believe I have left a little of myself with everyone who knew me. You may remember me for many things, but I hope you will remember my laugh, my smile, my jokes, my heart, my spirit, but how much I loved you all. I may not have the words all the time, but  I pray my actions left no doubt in your minds how I felt about you all.

I was preceded in death by family members that brought so many good times and laughs to my life. My loving wife Mandy L. King, my mother and father Pattie Mae and Bernard King, my sisters Barbara King Thorpe, Ela Louise Greene and Portia N. Wells.  I leave  behind to cherish my memory, my daughter Phyllis V. Cross (Alvanda), my sons; Bernard L. King, Jr., (Yvette) and Bryant L. King, Sr., (Cathy); my brother Billy K. King, sisters; Carrie E. Williams, Joyce L. Delk (Wilbur) and Dorothy A. Wilkerson and one brother-in-law William H. Blount ( Marilyn ). My grandchildren have also filled my life with joy; Jermaine J. Bailey, Sr., (Shereka), Patrice  and her friend marquis, Bernard L. King, III (Tiffany), Nard-esa King, Bryant L. King, Jr. (Charlina) and Brianna J.  King. My greatgrandchildren are Jermaine Jr.,  Javion, Jaslynn Bailey, Simone and Sydney King, Maurice, Markell, Marlon, Haynes, Chloey, Zoey King, Prosper, Troy Jr.,  and Atlantis Watson, a special cousin, Melvin White, special nephew Curtis Blunt and special friends Timothy Pierce, Jr., Karven Pierce and Michael Gilchrist. He was close to his truck drivers that he worked with as well.

A Celebration of Life will be 12:00pm on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Shivers Funeral Chapel. Viewing will take place  on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 2-5pm at the chapel.  Interment at Mount Moriah AME Church Cemetery, Elberon, VA 23846 immediately following the service.  Please keep the King family in your prayers.