Bernard Peter Hemming, 88, of Bryantown, MD, passed away peacefully at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia on September 15, 2011. He was born on October 19, 1922 to Henry and Clara Hemming of Bryantown.

He was a tobacco farmer on his family farm until his retirement. He loved the outdoor life. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 44 years, Shirley, and a loving father to his son, Bernard, of Brooklyn, New York. He is survived by his brothers, Herman and John Hemming.

Bernard also served in the U.S. Army during World War II in England, Wales, North Africa, France, Germany and Luxembourg. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Bryantown and attended the City College of New York. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bryantown all his life. Catholicism was very much a part of his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert, Henry, Joseph and Paul; and sisters, Clara Jones and Sister Mary Henrietta of the Order of St. Benedict and his two infant sons.

The family will receive friends for Bernard's Life Celebration on Monday, September 19, 2011 from 5 - 8 p.m. with prayers at 7:00p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bryantown, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Charles, David, Gerard, Gregory, Michael and William Hemming.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's School, 13735 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MD 20617.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A.