Condolences to the family of Ann Ryan Bernard, 101 years old. She was born December 6, 1923, was a lifelong Nashvillian. She and her husband of 64 years, Harold Stone “Jobe” Bernard, had a marriage full of devotion, love, travel, and memories she reveled in. She cared for him for 18 years in their home after he had a devastating stroke. Her love for him has never wavered.
Ann, at her own request, entered a talent show at the Hippodrome Skating Rink when she was about eight years old and sang St. James Infirmary and won! That catapulted her to begin singing with local bands in Nashville at Kiwanis and Lions Club luncheons, followed by her own radio show on WLAC. She was known as The Songbird of the South. She often sang with the Owen Bradley Orchestra. She loved to sing and adored music right up to her passing. Michael Buble, her favorite, accompanied her during her final transition. While she continued singing for her own enjoyment, she stopped performing in her teenage years.
With the tough times in WWII, after she graduated from West End High School, she went to work at Third National Bank as the first female bank teller in Nashville. With her husband, Jobe, stationed in Norfolk, Va. and overseas in the Navy, she returned to Nashville andwent to work for the U.S. Department of Defense Transportation.
They built their family in Nashville after the war. In her later years, Ann joined the board of Cheekwood, where she was part of the creation of the Sculpture Trail. She also became involved with the Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt, mainly because they studied the brain and stroke, which became very important to her family with Jobe’s condition.Ann also underwrote the Jobe Bernard Stroke Symposium at Vanderbilt, named after her husband, which annually addresses any and all current medical work in the field of stroke, both to the medical community and public. Ann has supported The Nashville Symphony, The Temple, and other Jewish causes.
After 101 years, she continued to smile and say with joy, “It’s been a hell of a ride.”
Ann is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Bernard, and son, Tommy Bernard. Her mother, Ada Cohen Joel, her father, Herbert Ryan, and her sister, Reba Jean Kraft, predeceased her. She is also survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Kenneth Kraft, Trish Kraft Krizelman, Keith Kraft, and Nancy Kraft Galbut.
Donations may be made in her memory to The Temple Ohabai Shalom or The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
Condolences to the family of Elaine Glezer.
Condolences to the family of Richard Moss Heller Jr., who died on February 3. He was the husband of Toni Winner Heller; father of Richard Heller (Beth) and Jaime Heller (Mark Kocourek); grandfather to Richard and Julian Heller, and Mark and Bobby Kocourek.
Tributes may be made in Richard's memory to Congregation Micah.
Condolences to the family of Denese Kassman. Survivors include Jo Ann and Larry Sacks, and Daniel, Jennifer, Dylan, and Emma Sacks.
Condolences to the family of Michael Mireider. father of Jessica (Adam) Roth, grandfather of Wyatt, Charlotte, and Elliot.
Condolences to the family of Leslie Susan Winner, who died on January 28th. Leslie was preceded in death by her parents, Lenore (Schrum) Winner and Elliott Winner. Leslie is the sister of Toni (Winner) Heller; husband of Dr. Richard Heller; and aunt to Jaime (Heller) Kocourek and Dr. Richard Heller.
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