Bernie Sanders Jessup

Bernie Sanders Jessup, 85, of Siler City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. Bernie was born on January 1, 1930 in Bear Creek, North Carolina to Sanders and Thelma (Driver) Jessup. After graduating from Bonlee High School, Bernie joined the United States Air Force in December of 1947. He attended Training Command at Scott Air Force Base and became a Control Tower Operator. While stationed at the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Military Base in Gross-Gerau, West Germany, he met, and in Bern Switzerland on August 8, 1950, married Margarete (Margie) Baumann, the mother of his children. Bernie achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and received an honorable discharge in December of 1951. Throughout his wonderful life, Bernie held many occupations including farmer, contractor, truck driver, operations manager, business owner, and restaurateur. He will be remembered most as trusted friend, loving father, brother, uncle, and companion. Bernie had a quick wit and a gift for making everyone laugh. He never knew a stranger. His friends and family would like you to know that he filled our lives with kindness, joy, love and laughter. We ask that you go forth and share those same gifts with all that you meet. This shall be his legacy. Bernie is survived by his son, Albert Jessup (wife, Addie) of Newport, NC, and daughter, Rebecca Jessup Hamilton (husband Curt) of Jacksonville, Florida, his dear sister, Mary Lucas, brother-in-law Wayne Lucas, his soulmate Virginia Welch, six grandchildren, two nieces, two nephews, and his beloved dog, Sheila. Arrangements are made through Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, Siler City. A celebration of Bernie's life will be held on Saturday, September 12th at Brush Creek Baptist Church, Bear Creek NC, at 11AM. The family will receive guests from 10AM to 11AM. Interment will be immediately following at Brush Creek Cemetery. Bernie will be interred next to his infant sons, Timothy and Anthony, who preceded him in death. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Brush Creek Baptist Church, St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry or Friends of Jacksonville Animals. Jesus said, "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22