Name of Deceased: Mr. Johnnie Edward Bamberg

Age: 78

Address: 37 McGee Street, Bamberg, SC

Date of Death: Monday, July 9, 2018

Circumstances: passed away at Pruitt Health Center, Bamberg, SC

Funeral Information:

Time: 12:00 noon

Place: Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Bamberg, SC

Date: Saturday, July 14, 2018

Burial Location: Bamberg Memory Gardens, Bamberg, SC

Mr. Bamberg will be placed in the sanctuary of the church one hour before the service.

Johnnie (John) Edward Bamberg entered peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, July 9, 2018 at the Pruitt Health Center in Bamberg, SC surrounded by close family. His transition marked a lifetime dedicated to his family, to his beloved Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, to the Bamberg community, and to all of the children in his local school district and those of the public school system of South Carolina.

The oldest of ten children born to the late Henry Angus and Pirtella Grimes Bamberg, John was born on January 24, 1940. The family came from humble beginnings and believed in the virtue of hard work and compassion. They were good stewards of the fruits of their labor and shared the little that they had with those who had even less. From a young age, John was affectionately known as "Bubba" by his entire family and to those close to them. The nickname originated from a younger sibling who was unable to pronounce "brother" due to his young age. Contracting polio at age six, John refused to allow his disability to deter his aspirations. With the strong support of his entire family, particularly his mother, he went on to graduate from Voorhees High School and Voorhees Junior College in Denmark, SC, and Saint Augustine College of Raleigh, NC. John later matriculated to North Carolina State University to further his studies and spent the remainder of his days donning official Wolfpack tee shirts, sweatshirts, blazers, and hats.

John , respectfully known as "Mr. Bamberg" throughout his community, was well-known for his suit and tie combinations, his gregarious disposition and his intellect and quick wit.

A true public servant, John worked tirelessly on behalf of the families of Bamberg County, facilitating the creation of a community of academic excellence and personal integrity.  Having gleaned a wealth of applicable knowledge from his own family and personal experiences, one of his earliest professional undertakings was the implementation of a county food assistance initiative. Through his involvement with this program, he was able to hone his abilities to reach underserved individuals. He then used his expertise to coordinate and ovesee second chances, training and education for men in South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Upon his retirement in 1980, John then once again turned his attention to his local community, serving on a myriad of boards and commissions. Closest to his heart was the Bamberg School District One Board where he chaired the board thirteen years of his twenty-year tenure. A fierce believer that education was the great equalizer, John dedicated the remainder of his professional life ensuring that all children in Bamberg County had the opportunity to fulfill their truest potentials. He served on the South Carolina School Boards Association Board of Directors as State President; the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP); the Shalom Mission Zone Board of directors; Board member and chair of the Region Two Foster Care Review Board; the Bamberg County First Steps program where he was also Board Chair and in numerous capacities at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church.

John leaves to cherish precious memories two daughters, Acacia Bamberg Salatti of Harlem, NY and Misty Dawne Bamberg of Bamberg, SC; a grandson whom he especially adored, John Harrison Williams of Bamberg, SC; one sister, Samella (Sammie Owens) Bamberg of Bamberg, SC; three brothers, Sammie Bamberg (Helen) and Kenneth (Edna) Bamberg of Bamberg, SC and Lewis Bamberg of New York, NY; two aunts, Richardell Ramsey of Bamberg, SC and Deborah (Charles) Stokes Denmark, SC; three sisters-in-law, Reverend Ella Mae Bamberg, Deloris Banks and Ethel Tyler all of Bamberg, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing for the public will be held on Friday between the hours of 2:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home .