Bernard was born on April 8, 1967 in Queens, New York, the only child of his mother Alice Bernard-Jones. He graduated from the Sierra Leone Grammar School in 1983 and Ashville College, Harrowgate, North Yorkshire, UK, England in 1985. He resided in Jefferson City, MO for the past 31 years, having moved from London UK in 1990 and New Jersey in 1991 to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. He received a Bachelors and Master Degrees in Business Administration from Lincoln University in 1995 and 1999. He was also a certified Project Management Professional.
Bernard was a longtime employee of the State of Missouri and worked in various departments. He was currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Missouri State Lottery. He worked at the Central Technology Services from 2007 to 2010 as Project Manager. He was also a long time President and Treasurer of the Sierra Leone Association in Jefferson City.
As a longtime parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church, Bernard served in various positions at the church including the Vestry and Chairman of the Finance Board.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jacqueline Collier (Kanga) of Jefferson City, MO; sons Sequan and Dejan Collier; mother Alice Bernard-Jones; brothers Gamal Collier, Gustavus Harding; sisters Gloria Jarwood, Nadia Bangura, Wanza Jonjo and Mara-Janet Deveneaux. Aunts and uncles, Freddie T. Jones, Rita Miller and Dr. Arthur Bernard-Jones; mother-in-law, Marylyn Kanga, step mother Dr. Olive Williams, close friend Dennis Spencer-Auber. He is also survived by the Bernard-Jones, Collier, Kamara, Kanga, Stronge, and Jarwood families; the Sierra Leone Community in Jefferson City, MO; several nieces, nephews, and friends all over the world.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gershon Beresford Onesimus Collier, a former Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, step mother Fashu Collier, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Grace Episcopal Church, 217 Adams Street, Jefferson City, with the Rev Father Bill Nesbit officiating. The family will receive friends at Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City, MO from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm. Memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church in memory of Bernard.
To view the livestream of this funeral service:
Visit the online obituary posting for Gershon Bernard Collier at www.millardfamilychapels.com. Select the “Tribute Wall” tab and click “Watch now” on the Live Webcast video player. Please note that streaming will not be available until the time of the service. A playback of the webcast will remain on the website following the service.
A repast will follow immediately after the service at the Masonic Lodge, 3211 Masonic Ct. Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Services entrusted to Houser-Millard, Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com
https://www.millardfamilychapels.com/obituaries/Gershon-Bernard-Collier?obId=25958162