Mr. Bernard “Moonie” Span of Albany, Ga passed away peacefully at his home on April 14, 2017 at 63 years old.
Bernard was born July 10th, 1953 to the late Adam Lee Roberts and Lizzie Lee Dawson in Newton, Ga. At an early age, he was baptized at Beulah Baptist Church of Albany, Ga. Bernard received his education in the Dougherty County School System and was a member of Monroe High School’s graduating class of 1971. Prior to graduating high school, he joined the United States Army at the young age of 17. He served our country proudly during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1972 and earned the rank of Specialist prior to being Honorably Discharged. In early adulthood, Bernard became an activist in the Muslim community and converted his faith to Islam in the late 70’s.
Raised in a large family with nine siblings, Bernard was an advocate of family. On June 4th, 1986, he married Valarie Jean Span of Albany, Ga and started a family of his own. Born to this union was a son, Thomas Dion Span, and a daughter, Honestee Jenise Span. Bernard also had two other loving and supportive children; a son, Bernard Adam Span and a daughter, Patsy Equilla Span.
Bernard was a well-known sports enthusiast. He spent many of his days listening to and watching sports events. He was an expert on the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Hawks but watching the Atlanta Braves was his favorite pastime. Bernard also enjoyed reminiscing and sharing family history with his children and grandchildren, ensuring that our history was preserved through each generation.
Bernard is proceeded in death by: a brother, Steven Roberts; a sister, Ruth Terrell; his father, Adam Lee Roberts; a grandmother, Patsy Roberts; and a grandfather, Charlie Roberts.
Bernard leaves to celebrate the memories of his life: a loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Valarie Jean Span; two sons, Bernard Adam Span (Myeishia) and Thomas Dion Span of Albany, GA; two daughters, Patsy Equilla Span of Leesburg, GA and Honestee Span of Atlanta, GA; devoted mother, Lizzie Dawson; five sisters, Shirley Brown, Elois Span, Freida Polite (Ronnie) of Albany, GA, Janice Montgomery of Gary, Indiana, and Patsy Roberts-Austin (Robert) of St. Petersburg, FL; two brothers, Nadir Rashid (Nadine) of Canton, Ohio and Marvin Solomon (Spibber) of Riverdale, GA; four grandchildren, Tamaya Span, Jamal Lovette, Demondre Span and N’Dia Woods; one aunt, Pearlene Alford; in-laws, John and Essie Brown; brother-in-laws, Doug and Deese Brown; sister-in-law, Denese Sanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Bernard also leaves life-long friends; Lewis Cobb, Everett Heaven, Russell McNeal and Freddie Ponder.
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