Nancy Carole Bernal, aged 81, went home to the Lord at approximately 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2020. Born in Kingston, Jamaica on March 12, 1939 to the late Gladstone Bernal and Eva Bernal, Nancy was immensely proud of her Caribbean heritage. 

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Nancy would often share stories of her time growing up in Jamaica, where she would walk to school with friends and family, occasionally climb trees, help out at a family-run store, tend to the animals on her grandfather’s farm, and read Bible stories. 

 

An independent, inquisitive mind, Nancy was always eager to learn new things and did not like to be told that she couldn’t do something. Her father learned that aspect about her quickly when, one day, Nancy, at a tender age, told him that she wanted to read the newspaper he was reading. He declined, believing initially that she was too young to read it. Nancy, open to the challenge, proved him wrong by not only quickly learning how to read the newspaper, but also reading Bible passages to multiple groups of people at her young age. 

 

Nancy moved with her family to the U.S. in 1957, where she attended high school in Brooklyn, N.Y. Nancy excelled in her studies, and while raising a young child, she completed nursing school and became a private duty nurse.

Nancy had a big heart for helping others. As a private duty nurse, she ensured that patients received quality care and assisted them in their time of need. During her 25 years with the State Board of Health department in Jacksonville, Florida, she educated the youth about protecting themselves from venereal diseases and administered immunizations at the STD clinic and the HIV clinic. 

 

Nancy loved the Lord with all her heart. From an early age, her grandfather, Mortimer Bernal, taught her to set her eyes to the sky, where her Heavenly Father dwelled, and that became a guiding force throughout her life. An avid churchgoer and choir member, Nancy would often recite her favorite scriptures by heart and sing songs dedicated to the Lord. She would also often pray for her patients, family, and friends to help them through their time of need.

 

Nancy had many talents. She was an award-winning painter, a cook, a gardener, a bowler, a skilled softball player, a bicyclist, and loved to walk in marathons. She also enjoyed social activities, hosting parties and was apart of various groups such as the Girls’ Night Out group, the Youniques softball league, a bowling league, and a cruise group.

Nancy loved to travel, often venturing by cruise to different parts of the world such as Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Panama, and Mexico. 

 

Nancy was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Sandra Bernal. She is survived by five loving siblings: Enid White, Norman Bernal (wife, Robin Bernal), Faith Bernal, Donald Bernal, and Tony Bernal (wife, Jennifer Bernal); two dear sons: Wade Bernal (wife, Yvette) and Paul Bernal (wife, Kim Bernal); one loving “adopted” son: Rudy Rudolph; six loving grandchildren: Dexter Bernal, Deliah Bernal, Shekima Bernal, Natavea Rogers, Lyndsey Bernal, and Matthew Bernal; eight dear great-grandchildren: Dash Bernal, Denim Bernal, Dymond Mae-Bernal, Naquan Rogers, Imani St. Jean, Justin Singleton, Genese St. Jean, and Kyla Singleton; and two twice-great grandchildren: Nivea Rogers and Noah Rogers.

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Nancy was a unique spirit that will certainly be missed! While her time on earth has ended, her teachings and her memory continue to live on for those she touched.