Mr. Bernard Owens, the youngest son of Ella Mae Middleton Owens and the late Moses Owens, was born on July 21, 1951. He began his education in the Berkeley County School System, graduating in 1969 from Berkeley Training High School, Moncks Corner, SC. He continued his education in Electronics at Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC.

After graduating from high school, Bernard began working for William Heller, Moncks Corner, SC, where he met and married the former Margaret Rollerson on September 1, 1973.

Bernard worked for many other companies: MDT McKesson, North Charleston, SC; BARD, Moncks Corner, SC; and Zeb's Quality Cleaning Services, Charleston, SC. Bernard was also known for his great work as a Floor Technician, beautifying hardwood, tile, and carpeted floors.

Bernard was dedicated to serving the community , the church, and his family .

In the community, Bernard was a Boy Scout Troop Leader for many years with Troop 760, where he mentored and participated in Boy Scout Camps and other events with boys from the St. Stephen, Alvin, Santee Circle, and Cherry Hill communities. He worked hard and dedicated his service to helping them to live up to the Boy Scout's Law - to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Bernard also loved baseball and played with several baseball teams - on his job and in the Santee Circle Community. He was a member of Moncks Corner Lodge #323, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliated.

Bernard was a custodian for Berkeley County School District, and a bus driver for Miracle Academy and the Cainhoy and Timberland Areas. He formed relationships with every student he met - motivating, encouraging, and even disciplining them. He was dedicated to promoting positive behavior and life skills in the youth of the community and the church.

In the church, Bernard was very active and instrumental with the Kingstree District's Christian Education and Church School Departments, as well as the Kingstree District Basketball League where he served as the League Commissioner. As Commissioner, he was dedicated to ensuring that the young boys and girls who participated and attended the games had safe and fun Saturdays of competitive basketball.

Bernard was a lifelong member of Mt. Carmel AME Church where he faithfully worked in many capacities. He was a Church School Teacher, an Assistant Church School Superintendent, Church School Superintendent, Usher, Male Choir member, and the Transportation Coordinator. He was the bus and van driver, as well as a Trustee and a member of the Sons of Allen.

Bernard loved his family , especially his grandchildren. He was not only a stern disciplinarian, but he also spent a lot of time encouraging, motivating, and giving them advice about getting a good education and doing the right thing.

Early in the morning on Friday, November 16, 2018, Mr. Bernard Owens heard the Master's call. He realized that the earthly tent that he lived in was destroyed. However, there was a building from God not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, waiting for him.

Bernard was preceded in death by his father, Moses Owens, and his brothers, Johnny "Shot" Owens and Moses Jerome "Rome" Owens.

Bernard leaves to cherish his fond memories: his wife of 45 years, Margaret; daughter, Cynthia (Rev. Brian) Williams; sons, Craig (Shana) Owens and Quinton (Toneke) Owens; his mother, Ella Mae Owens, ten grandchildren, Alanta Owens, Jayson Williams, DaVante' Owens, DeAnna Owens, Brianna Williams, Quinasha Owens, Quinton Tyrique Owens, Ryan Reese, Jayden Owens, and Ja'Kaydien Owens; his sister, Lucille Lorraine Winns; one uncle, Eugene (Ernestine) Middleton of Washington, DC; one grand-uncle, Clarence (Evelyn) Winns, Jr. of Richmond, VA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carrie Rollerson, James (Alfreda) Wilson, Annie Mae (Leon) Milford, Barbara (Nathaniel) Milford, Cellamena W. Theirse, Rev. Johnnie (Cecelia) Wilson, Joe Nathaniel (Velma) Wilson, Alyce R. Wilson and Marilyn Savage Wilson; godson, Darrell Bishop; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, devoted and special cousins, Frank (Emily) Legree and James Gibbs; a devoted friend, Clarence Gibbs, who took him to many doctor appointments and visited him often; and a loving neighbor and friend, Elijah Perkins.