Thomas Bernard Washington (Age 74) of (Pomonkey) La Plata, Maryland.

Profile of Life

Thomas Bernard Washington "Bernard" as he was more affectionately known was born, April 26, 1941 in Brandywine, Maryland to Mary Beatrice (Ford) Washington and the late Raymond B. Washington.

Bernard attended the public schools of Charles County, Maryland and graduated from Pomonkey High School. He married Barbara Jean Ransome and was the proud father to Thomasine, Alaina and the late Thomas and he became the step-father to Kevin Clagett and Jennean Clagett.

He was inducted into the United States Army, during the Vietnam area on November 8, 1963. While serving in the Army he received the Expert Rifle M-14 Badge, Vietnam Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged, November 5, 1965. After returning home, Bernard secured employment with Smitty's Steakhouse in Bryans Road, Maryland as a Cook, and the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, Maryland as an Explosives Technician. After several live explosions, he decided to secure employment elsewhere and followed his father's footsteps as the Building Service and Cemetery Foreman at St. Mary's Catholic Church and School of Piscataway in Clinton, Maryland. Bernard also was the CEO of his companies, B & B Snack Bar and Washington Trash Service which served his community for numerous years.

Bernard was a quiet man and he loved his family. He enjoyed cooking, wine making and canning fruits and vegetables. He was also an active participant in the Pomonkey Alumni Association.

Peacefully on Monday evening, October 5, 2015 at his home and surrounded by his loving family, Bernard transitioned to eternal life.

In addition to his son and father, Bernard was also preceded in death by two sisters, Gloria Washington and Emma Ford; grandparents, William and Antoinette Ford and Joseph and Pearl Washington; father and mother-in-law, George O. Ransome, Sr. and Madeline Ransome; uncles, Allen, John, Thomas, Sylvester and Vincent Ford; aunts, Agnes Chase, Dorothy Ford and Hilda "Martina" Dyson; and other deceased aunts and uncles, sister-in-law, Delores Ransome Anderson and brother-in-law, Alphonza Ransome.

He leaves to cherish loving memories, his wife, Barbara J.(Ransome) Washington; children and step-children, Thomasine Washington, Alaina Washington Thompson (Harry "Manny"), Kevin Clagett and Jeannean Clagett-Hodge (Michael); grandchildren, Tiffany Marbury, Thomasina Renee (Parham) Edwards, Terrenda Washington, Trisha Washington, Harry "BJ" Thompson, Jr., Monica Thompson, Melissa Thompson and Brianna Clagett; fifteen great grandchildren; mother, Mary Beatrice Washington; nephews and nieces, Anthony Washington, Sr., Cecil Washington, Coretta Washington and Agatha Frances Cobey and a host of other nieces and nephews; aunts, Mildred Munson, Inez Matthews and Roberta Johnson; uncle, Matthew Ford; sisters-in-law, Gloria Marshall and Lorraine Johnson; brothers-in-law, George, Walter, David, Leon and Robert Ransome and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing, 9:00am to 10:00am, Wednesday, October 14, 2015 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church Piscataway, 13401 Piscataway Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735. Interment, Maryland Veteran Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.