Bernard W. Ralph Sr.

On Wednesday, June 19, 1929 Bernard Wilson the third child and first son of Bernard and Leslie Elizabeth Green Ralph was born at their home on Jefferson Street in East Baltimore. Bernard was a lifelong member of the Historic St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church; he was baptized as baby and, in his youth, served as an alter boy. As an adult, Bernard attended Sunday Mass regularly until his health began to decline. A. faithful Catholic, Bernard received six of the seven Holy Sacraments. Education was important to the Ralph family. Bernard’s father and sisters were educators, his brother was a psychiatrist, and his mother took care of them all. Bernard graduated from the Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Baltimore in 1947. Aspiring to be a pharmacist, he attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Pharmacy in 1957. Bernard was a proud Dunbar Poet and Howard Bison. Bernard met Doris Marie Hamlett, the love of his life, while in high school. Bernard and Doris were married at St. Francis Xavier on November 14, 1953. From this union three children were given life; Bernard Jr., Teresa Marie and Laura Elizabeth. In 1963, Bernard and his family moved to Herring Run in the Lauraville. Community of northeast Baltimore City, where they were one of the first families of color. 4917 was his home for almost 60 years. From 1957 to 1974. Bernard worked alongside Dr. Max Zervitz as pharmacist at the Williams Pharmacy on Caroline Street. He was drafted during the Korean War and served as a Medic in the U.S. Army and honorably discharged in 1961. He was awarded the National defense Service Metal. In 1974. Bernard took ownership of the drugstore becoming one of the first African Americans town a pharmacy in East Baltimore. In the mid - 8 0’s, the rise of retail drugstore chains overshadowed the individually owned drugstore, Bernard then, in 1986, began working as pharmacy manager for Rite Aid. He retired from the Rite Aid Corporation in 2004. Bernard set high standard for a true gentleman, what a husband and father should be and is loved and respected by many. His wisdom, loving spirit and generous nature endeared him to so many hearts. He was the peacekeeper and extended grace to those who may have offered him. Bernard has great sense of humor. We often told him he missed his calling as a comedian. He loved jazz. His Favorite Movies were. The Godfather and Shrek. He enjoyed The Simpsons, married with Children and Haves and Have nots. As Daddy would tell it, he had an Extreme dislike for chocolate; but everyone who know him knows he LOVED chocolate - anything chocolate; ice cream, cake, candy and even black licorice jellybeans, Bernard was an active member of the YMCA and enjoyed the Waverly location for a little exercise and a lot of socializing with his crew. Having played in high school he loved football. Sunday during football season were reserved for watching the Baltimore Ravens games with his family. Bernard went to church on Sunday mornings and while sitting at the dining room table, he read the Sunday newspaper, Bernard stayed current on political climate of the United States; the tv was most often tuned to CNN. Bernard was grateful he witnessed a Black President in his lifetime; he was very proud of Barack and Michelle. Bernard was affectionately known by many names. You knew what period of his life Someone knew him from by what the called him. He was Boy, Sugar, Mr. B. Doc and Dr. Ralph Bernard did not change the name of the drugstore and was called Dr. Williams by many people in the community. His favorites were Daddy, Bud, Baldie and Pop - Pop that’s what his children and grand children called him. Bernard’s life was blessed. He almost lost it twice, but God kept him In 1962, Bernard was shot during the armed robbery of his business. In 1990, Bernard Suffered numerous silent heart attacks and eventually underwent quadruple by pass surgery. God spared him God knew the Doris and his children needed him In June 2020, Bernard was diagnosed with mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia In June 2022, the point in his journey where farther medical interventions were neither clinically indicated nor desired, Bernard entered the care of Gilchrist Hospice. On Wednesday August 19, 2022 the lord recognized His son was tired and called him home. Bernard took his final journey from the labors of this world to the reality of the mansions provided. We find comfort in knowing that Bernard’s wife, Doris, his son, Bernard Jr. and his beloved dog, Jade greeted him in Heaven with open arms and paws. Bernard leaves to celebrates his life and carry on his legacy: Teresa Ralph (Marvin) and Laura Saunders (Edmond) and grandchildren, Bernard W. Ralph III (Malika), Destiny Ralph, Kyle and Kayla Saunders, Denise and Lawrence Shird Jr. (Tamika); 6 great- grandchildren, 7 great - grandchildren, lifelong friends, Irma curry, Robert B. Whittington and Wilbur Giles; sister-in-law Marguerite Clark, Brother-in- law, Benjamin Graham, special caregiver, Brandy Malloy and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Bernard W. Ralph Sr.

June 19, 1929 - August 17, 2022