W. Bernard Crump, a native of Amory, Mississippi, was born November 17, 1936. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Tuskegee University in 1960. While at Tuskegee, he was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Bernard entered Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia in 1960 and later graduated with the Master of Divinity Degree in 1963. Bernard was appointed to Haven United Methodist Church in Clarksdale, MS in June 1963. While serving as pastor, he was involved in numerous community programs. In 1986, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Rust College. In 1974, Bernard was appointed and became the first Black since the reconstruction period to assume responsibility as superintendent of the Starkville District in the North Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. He wasalso the former pastor of the Oktibbeha-Clay Parish churches from 1980-2004. He was elected as District 2 Justice Court Judge in 1984 where he served for almost 32 years. Bernard is survived by the lovely Alveria Coats Crump. They shared a blessed union for 51 years. He is also survived by five children; Bernard Crump Jr. (Sonya) of Burlingame, CA, Alwanya Crump Thomas (Wayne) of Powder Springs, GA, Demetria Crump Davis (Scott) of Stockbridge, GA, Michael Crump of Honolulu, HI, and Nerma Sanquenette McCrary (Fred) of Kennesaw, GA. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Will, Savion, Jalen, Isaiah, Noah, Tyson, Ryan, and LeJordan and one step granddaughter, Taelor. Bernard is also survived by his sister, Audrey Crump Hodges (Clyde) of Amory, MS and a host of other relatives who will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to: The W. Bernard Crump Family Scholarship Endowment, Account: CRUMP01, MS United Methodist Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 2415, Ridgeland, MS 39158-2415. Phone: 601-948-8845. Memorial service to be held on Nov. 21, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lampkin St. in Starkville, MS.