Evelyn (Gran) Ford Bernard

Evelyn (Gran) Ford Bernard, 79, former resident of Orange and Bridge City resident of 53 years, passed away Monday, February 3, 2014, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am, Friday, February 7, 2014, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City with Reverend Steve Leger officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm, Thursday at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City. Rosary will be recited at 6pm with Deacon Eddie Blankenstein.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on September 5, 1934, Evelyn was the daughter of Louis Olney Ford and Ona Iris (Sanders) Ford. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Evelyn graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1952; she then attended Chenier Business School. Evelyn worked as a secretary for Orangefield Independent School District and retired after 22 years. She enjoyed playing bridge with her retired friends and watching her T.V. shows, Judge Judy and Wheel of Fortune; but Evelyn’s most cherished activity was spending time with her grandbabies and great-grandbabies.

She is survived by her husband, G.L. (Bobby) Bernard; daughters, Andrea Bernard, Babette Philpott and husband, Mark; son, Louis Bernard, all of Bridge City; grandchildren, Christine Church, Ben and Brittany Ernst, Christopher “Topher” Church, Bret Philpott; great-grandchildren, Kate Ernst, Abigayle Ernst, Wyatt Ernst, Jax Ernst, Kaylianne Church, Jozette Church; and brothers, J.T. Ford of Bridge City, John and Geraldine Ford of Richmond.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Ernst, Christopher Church, Bret Philpott, Mark Philpott, Calvin Corkan, and Jody Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.

Special thanks to Dr. Reji John and Stephanie Bulva, RN for their care and support during Evelyn’s illness.