Bernard Aaron "Bernie" Vinson

Bernie was born on December 28, 1944 in Mercer, TN to the late Malcolm Vinson and Carmen Daniel Bishop. He graduated from South Side High School in 1962 and went on to serve in the US Army/National Guard. He also graduated from Keegan's School of Broadcasting in Memphis. He worked as an on-air personality and program director for many radio stations throughout West Tennessee (more notably WMC Radio, WJAK, WDXI, WBOL, and WTBG), Northeast Louisiana, and Northeast Mississippi. Bernie was also musically talented and played almost every stringed, keyed, and wind instrument. His main love was the guitar, which he had played since he was three years old. He had his own band as well as played and sang with many bands in West Tennessee ever since his high school years. He also opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and other popular entertainers. Bernie enjoyed sharing music with anyone who would listen and he continued to play the guitar and piano even while being a resident at Maplewood Healthcare.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patsy Vinson Staggs.

He is survived by his children, Gina Thompson (Kenny) of Medon, TN, Josh Vinson (Jessie) of Greeneville, TN, Jennifer Newsom (Derek) of Lexington, TN, and Tika Newman of Toone, TN; and his grandchildren Shelby Thompson, Dalton Thompson, Clayton Thompson, Eryn Adkins, Ashlyn Adkins, Brooke Adkins, Eli Newsom, Alex Hall, Devin Hall, and Jeremy James (JJ) Reynolds.

He was a member of Worldwide Church of God/Living Church of God.

Pallbearers to serve are David Doug Elston, Josh Vinson, Dalton Thompson, and Clayton Thompson.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Vernon Cemetery in Hardeman County, TN, with a dear cousin, Jerry Vernon, officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the "Bernie" Vinson family.