Bernard Oscar Bourne

Mr. Bernard Oscar Bourne, Jr., 81, of West Columbia died Saturday December 3, 2016 at the Colonial Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center. Born June 1, 1935, in Georgetown, SC, he was a son of the late Bernard Oscar and Elise Jacobs Bourne. Bernard graduated from Winyah High School in 1953 where he was president of the senior class and a well-rounded athlete in Football, Basketball and Track. He went on to the University of South Carolina, where he ran Track and obtained his degree from the School of Pharmacy in 1960. He practiced pharmacy for nearly 50 years, starting at Bachman's Pharmacy, then owning Sherwood Pharmacy and Springdale Pharmacy. Later, he worked for various large chain pharmacies before retiring. Bernard married Betty Ann Bessinger, a friend since age 5, on September 29, 1956. He was a member of First Baptist Church of West Columbia, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Ann Bessinger Bourne; his children, Elise Inez Pauley (Michael) of Lexington, Bernard Oscar Bourne III (Amy) of Lexington, Mary Angela Woods (Philip) of Columbus, Ohio and Charles Kevin Bourne (Virginia) of Lexington; a brother, Benjamin Jacobs Bourne (Carolyn) of Beverly Hills, Florida; a sister, Barbara Bourne Shives (William) of Blythewood; a sister-in-law, Demaris Bessinger of Denmark; his 15 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bernard was predeceased by his sister, Marian Elise Bourne. The funeral service will be held at 12:30 PM, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, with burial following in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 10:30 A.M. The family wishes to thank the staff of Colonial Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center and Lighthouse Hospice Group for the love, care and compassion given to Bernard and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of West Columbia, 400 State Street, West Columbia, SC, 29169 or Lighthouse Hospice, 110 Oak Park Drive, Unit C, Irmo, SC 29063.