Melissa Martindale Bernard

Melissa Erin Martindale Bernard, 34, died Monday, July 16, 2007 in the University of Alabama, Birmingham Medical Center in Birmingham, AL after an eight month battle with cancer. Melissa was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Aiken when she was a child. She was raised in Aiken and graduated from S. A. High School and attended USC-A. She married Brian in 1995 and started her family soon after. As an accomplished writer, artist and photographer, she owned and operated Melissa Bernard Photography where she mainly concentrated on photography of small children. Her work has left many beautiful memories. Melissa was an active member of Cedar Creek Church and a volunteer for any arts and crafts projects, community events and served on her local PTA. She loved all of her "children" in her Sunday school class and the helpers who all fought to be able to help her. Her desire was to one day have an art studio where she could concentrate on art camps for young children year round. She could easily bring out the artistic spirit in any child. That was her joy and passion. She came into this world on her own terms, brought joy to all she encountered and died making a difference to others. Melissa blessed Brian, all four of their children, Grisham James Bernard, Alexandria Jane Bernard, Miah Blue Bernard and Weslyn Sage Bernard and a large family consisting of her mother, Carole Grisham Smith, Aiken; father & step mother, Dan & Sue Martindale, Birmingham; brothers David (Jill) Martindale and Matt Martindale, Birmingham, Brad (Brooke) Smith, Houston, TX; maternal grand mother, Mickey Grisham, Aiken; aunt, Nancy Grisham, Wheaton, IL, mother-in-law, Patricia Bernard, Aiken; father-in-law, Jerry Bernard, Aiken; sisters, Susan Hyde, Summerville, SC, Donna (Robin) McLane, Atlanta, GA; brothers-in-law, Bill (Vicki) Bernard, Aiken, Chris (Susan) Bernard, Oklahoma City, OK; sisters-in-law - Geraldine Paxton, Aiken, Joann (Mike) Hay, Augusta, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her stepfather Wes Smith, her brother Jeff Smith; grandparents David Grisham and Charlie and Norma Martindale, preceded her in death. Melissa leaves behind countless friends whom were considered family and thousands of broken hearts. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, July 25 at Cedar Creek Church with Reverend Richard Swift and Reverend Phillip Lee officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Eckburg HOME Group. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Tuesday evening at Cedar Creek Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bernard Family Fund, c/o Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road, Aiken, SC 29803. Please visit Melissa’s online memorial at http://shellhousefuneralhome.com Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melissa Martindale Bernard, please visit our flower store.