Mr. Bernard Augustus Overton, Jr

Bernard Augustus Overton, Jr, born on November 27, 1960, to parents Mr. Bernard Overton, Sr and Ms. Mary Blount Overton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bernard affectionately known to those who loved him as Bernie, passed away on August 25, 2026, at East Carolina University Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, following a courageous struggle with cancer. He was 65 years old. Bernie was a great friend and a loving big brother to his siblings, Carl and Brian. They watched him quietly etch his God-given gifts into being a blessing to his family and friends. His quiet spirit enabled his creativity to flourish into a man of strength in drawing, writing and music. Bernie was a skilled bass guitarist, great poet and a good artist. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed the rhythms of George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic. Bernard’s poetic writings was a passion that filled his heart and his pages. He said God put the words in his spirit and he just put it on paper. He wrote poems for all occasions and dreamed of one day seeing his works published. Through his verses he shared the reflections of a thoughtful and soulful man who loved fully, believed deeply, and lived with grace. His words remain a lasting gift to those he leaves behind. With deep roots in rural Edenton, North Carolina, his parents decided to raise their children and expand their opportunities in the fast growing city of Silver Springs, Maryland. Bernie’s circle of love expanded even more with the special love received from his wonderful maternal and paternal grandparents, Mr. Howard Blount and Ms. Mary Harrell and Mr. Oscar Overton and Ms. Maggie Hall. And he was especially proud of being the descendent, the great-great-great grandson, of Hannibal Badham, builder of historic Kadesh A.M. E . Zion Church, celebrated as the epitome of Gothic Revival style architecture built during the 1800’s. After completing high school, Bernie joined the United States Army. He served a short stint at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he held the rank of Private Second Class and served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and was a qualified sharpshooter with the M-16 rifle. Bernie carried the discipline learned withhim throughout his life. After leaving the military, he continued his trade as a mechanic, working with various businesses across Maryland. His high school passion of working on cars lasted a lifetime. After settling in Edenton, North Carolina he continued working as mechanic at Colony Tire and Albemarle Motors and eventually was proudly self-employed until sickness. Bernard moved to Edenton where he met, Ms. Jo-Ann, his soul mate, and the love of his life. They got married on September 28, 2002 at Kadesh A.M.E. Zion Church in Edenton, North Carolina. They had a beautiful wedding and celebrated their anniversaries over the years. The great love of Bernard's life was his wife, Jo-Ann Redmon-Overton, to whom he was married for twenty-three years. They loved to travel to family celebrations in Williamsburg, Virginia and take cruises to the Bahamas and other destinations. Theirs was a devotion measured not only in years but in tenderness; they held hands across more than twenty-seven years together, and continued to do so even unto his death. He loved her with a passion that promised to endure a lifetime, and it did. Bernie worked hard at making sure his wife was safe and happy and was looking forward to celebrating their upcoming 24th wedding anniversary. Bernard is remembered most for the tenderness of his spirit. He was a man of profound kindness, gentle in manner and generous in heart. Above all, he loved God deeply, and he devoted countless hours to the study of biblical history and literature, drawing strength and wisdom from the Scriptures that guided his days. He was a member of Kadesh AME Zion Church, where he sang in the church choir. Later he joined Reverend Edna Lawrence at Good Works Community Church, and continued there until his health began to fail. Bernard lived out his faith quietly and faithfully. As a man of deep and abiding faith, Bernard trusted in the promises of his Lord and Savior. Bernard is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, the late Mr. Oscar Overton, Sr, and Ms. Maggie Hall Overton; maternal grandparents, the late Mr. Howard Blount, Sr and Ms. Mary Harrell Blount, uncles, Mr. Lionel Overton, Mr. Alfonzo Overton, Mr. Howard Earl Blount, Mr. Herman Lee Blount; aunts, Ms. Barbara Overton Rose, Ms. Vivian Overton Mayo, and Ms. Hattie Blount Armstrong. Bernard is survived by his beloved wife, Jo-Ann Redmon-Overton; his son, Joshua Titus; in Merry Hill, NC; his stepsons, Frederick Roulac in Newport News, VA and Derrick Roulac in McDonough, Georgia; granddaughters, Chantel Roulac, in Merry Hill, NC and Chastity Roulac, in Charlotte, NC; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Payton and Emery, whose presence brought him great joy; his mother, Ms. Mary Louis Blount Overton in Silver Springs, Maryland, an uncle, Mr. Oscar Overton, Jr in District Heights, Maryland; and two brothers, Carl Overton (Loveness) in Silver Springs, Maryland, and Brian Overton (Wendy Waring) in Valencia, California; and a host of other relatives and friends enriched by his love and a community touched by his gentle presence. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and great-grandfather, a man of faith, and a gentle soul whose kindness and love will not be forgotten.

Mr. Bernard Augustus Overton, Jr

November 27, 1960 - August 25, 2026