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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Bernard A.
Catchings
January 19, 1915 – May 22, 2013
Obituary
Bernard A. Catchings, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., at Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church, 165 East Stephens Street, Camilla. Words of comfort will be by Reverend Richard Williams.
Bernard Algenon Catchings I, was born January 19, 1915 in Camilla, Georgia to the late Timothy Catchings and Alice Brown Catchings.
Bernard attended the Catchings Family School on the Catchings' farm. Later he attended the Mitchell County Training School of Pelham, Georgia. His mother chose him to be the one to serve his country in the United States Army. After ending his tour in WWII, Bernard returned to Fort Valley College (now Fort Valley State University) in Fort Valley, Georgia, and received a degree in Agriculture. Many years later he attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) to obtain a Master's degree in Horticulture.
At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Personal Savior, realizing that through GOD who strengthened him, all things were possible. Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church was where he attended Sunday school and church. He was a member of the Steward Board and choir until his health no longer permitted. Chicken-Ques were not a fundraiser unless he had a hand in making sure the chicken was cooked to perfection on the grill.
The Mitchell County School System was served by Bernard Catchings for over forty years whether it was a classroom teacher, shop teacher or substitute teacher. The halls of CCS (Camilla Consolidated), Mitchell County High, and Mitchell-Baker High will long remember his stern voice and strong hand. He loved the community at large while hoping to make a difference as he participated in numerous social, civic and political organizations in Camilla and statewide.
A great fisherman, and excellent cook, and a superior huntsman earned him the name of the "Birdman" by his fellow huntsman.
Favor was shown for ninety-eight years for the fourteenth child of sixteen. His life was preceded in departure by his parents and fifteen siblings. Paying homage to a phenomenal woman, Alexa Burton Catchings, the mother of his four daughters, and his grandson who gave a true sense of laughter and love, Walter Bernard Williams, also preceded him in death.
Loving memories will forever linger in the hearts and minds of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Children: Bernard A. Catchings II, Gwainevere (Justin) Hess, Janet (Truman) Williams, Rose Maria and Alexa Catchings. Grandchildren: Joy (Chris) Gaines, Kimberly Postell, Tracey Williams, Natalie Williams, Elliot (Erin) Postell, "The Boys" Bernard F. Postell, and Alex J. Catchings I. Great Grandchildren: Christopher, Brandon, Alex II, Emerie and Desmond, Jr. Much affection for his adopted daughter Denise Roles. He held in high regards Joan Michelle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
His love for different genres of music, works of literature, the beloved French language and "Let's Talk About Me" is the inspiration for this memorial.
A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., at Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church, 165 East Stephens Street, Camilla. Words of comfort will be by Reverend Richard Williams.
Bernard Algenon Catchings I, was born January 19, 1915 in Camilla, Georgia to the late Timothy Catchings and Alice Brown Catchings.
Bernard attended the Catchings Family School on the Catchings' farm. Later he attended the Mitchell County Training School of Pelham, Georgia. His mother chose him to be the one to serve his country in the United States Army. After ending his tour in WWII, Bernard returned to Fort Valley College (now Fort Valley State University) in Fort Valley, Georgia, and received a degree in Agriculture. Many years later he attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) to obtain a Master's degree in Horticulture.
At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Personal Savior, realizing that through GOD who strengthened him, all things were possible. Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church was where he attended Sunday school and church. He was a member of the Steward Board and choir until his health no longer permitted. Chicken-Ques were not a fundraiser unless he had a hand in making sure the chicken was cooked to perfection on the grill.
The Mitchell County School System was served by Bernard Catchings for over forty years whether it was a classroom teacher, shop teacher or substitute teacher. The halls of CCS (Camilla Consolidated), Mitchell County High, and Mitchell-Baker High will long remember his stern voice and strong hand. He loved the community at large while hoping to make a difference as he participated in numerous social, civic and political organizations in Camilla and statewide.
A great fisherman, and excellent cook, and a superior huntsman earned him the name of the "Birdman" by his fellow huntsman.
Favor was shown for ninety-eight years for the fourteenth child of sixteen. His life was preceded in departure by his parents and fifteen siblings. Paying homage to a phenomenal woman, Alexa Burton Catchings, the mother of his four daughters, and his grandson who gave a true sense of laughter and love, Walter Bernard Williams, also preceded him in death.
Loving memories will forever linger in the hearts and minds of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Children: Bernard A. Catchings II, Gwainevere (Justin) Hess, Janet (Truman) Williams, Rose Maria and Alexa Catchings. Grandchildren: Joy (Chris) Gaines, Kimberly Postell, Tracey Williams, Natalie Williams, Elliot (Erin) Postell, "The Boys" Bernard F. Postell, and Alex J. Catchings I. Great Grandchildren: Christopher, Brandon, Alex II, Emerie and Desmond, Jr. Much affection for his adopted daughter Denise Roles. He held in high regards Joan Michelle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
His love for different genres of music, works of literature, the beloved French language and "Let's Talk About Me" is the inspiration for this memorial.
Our Father Kept A Garden
Our Father kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.
We are our Fathers garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you Dad we love you.
Our Father kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.
We are our Fathers garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you Dad we love you.
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