Bernadette Joan Fisher-Charles

March 31, 1950 - November 13, 2020

Devoted wife, mother, and sister Bernadette Fisher-Charles, peacefully passed away on November 13, 2020 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Springs, Maryland. She lived for 70 years during which time she was a major part of a loving family. She was born on March 31, 1950, in Philadelphia, PA. She was the second child and a twin that was born to the late English “Bouie” and Peggy Lou Fisher. She was the granddaughter of the late John Jones and Anna B. Ricks-Jones and Joseph and Mary Toney Fisher. Bernadette was affectionately called “Sissy”. She was raised by her parents along with her seven (7) siblings in Philadelphia. They all lived on Ingersoll Street from December 1950 until her parents moved to New Jersey in 1977. She remained in the family house until 1982 when she moved to Washington, DC to begin her career first as a volunteer. Her birth marked the beginning of her long and fulfilling life. She was educated in the Philadelphia Parochial School System She attended grammar school at Gesu Catholic School. She then attended John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School for freshman year. She then attended and graduated from Mercy Catholic Technical School. She then attended Temple University and major in Social Work. Sissy worked with the priests at Gesu Rectory. She formed many lasting friendships with the Jesuits. She worked on the rectory’s switchboard. She taught elementary school at Blessed Sacrament School. After a few years, she join the Jesuit Volunteer group working with Father McKenna, SJ in the Washington, DC area. She began as a volunteer and then progressed to SOME (So Others Might Eat). Her work was strictly with homeless, reforming drug and alcoholic persons. She continued at SOME until she began working as a Social Worker for the Washington City government. She retired from that position. During her time at SOME, Sissy met her future husband Derek Nathaniel Charles. They married January 7, 1991. They became the proud parents of their only child, Christiana Martina Charles. The couple with their daughter settled in Mt, Rainier, Maryland. She and her family remained practicing Roman Catholics. She was friends with many priests and nuns. Sissy was a major part of her family. All of her relatives adored her. Some of her relatives referred to her as Sissy Baby. As her siblings started their families, she affectionately became Aunt Sissy. All of her nieces and nephews loved when she visited or they were able to visit her in Washington, DC and Maryland. Sissy was an inspirational person. She began writing daily messages and music. If the messages, which were always positive and uplifting were not received, there was a chain of wonder. This was her last message: Good Morning! Peace, Love and Grace! Father we believe in Your power to make us better people of faith, that everything will be as You want it to be! You are always near us, in our darkest hours we can see Your light shine upon us! Dear Father touch the many families that need healing from this virus, that have effected every family on this journey! Father give us strength to accept what we have to in Your name! Be kind to yourself and others! 💋��🦋 https://youtu.be/rwLl5nY5WPI Sissy enjoyed classic movies and TV shows that she grew up watching like murder mysteries such as Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Andy Griffith, Little House on the Prairie, any cowboy show or movie. She loved John Wayne. The Game show network allowed her to revisit game shows she loved. She loved listening to oldies (especially Frank Sinatra) and gospel music. She loved butterflies and the ocean. The sounds of the ocean waves fascinated her. She loved other things of nature such the singing of the birds and squirrels chasing and playing with each other. Although she had the premium package, she enjoyed old movies. She was a daily watcher of Turner Classic Movies. She was a gifted reader and instilled a love for education in her daughter during her growth to adulthood. Well known for her social media, Sissy always had communication with so many family and friends. She had a passion for communication and was always calling and talking to others. During the last years, Sissy stoically kept her head high, her faith strong and the love for her family unbendable. Yet, as her life continued, Sissy’s health slowly began to fail. She now has a new Heavenly home with her beloved parents and other family. Sadly, she leaves to mourn her husband Derek Nathaniel Charles; her only child Christiana Martina Charles; Siblings: Valerie J. Fisher, Bernard J. Fisher (her twin), Victoria A. Fisher, Josephine M. Fisher Palmer (Mac Palmer), Cecilia Fisher-Branham, and James E. Akhir Fisher (Vinette). Nieces and nephews: Monique Thomas Fillis (Kyle), Nicole D. Fisher, Aquila Thomas, Neil B. Fisher, Nazeer Harper, Martez Jeffcoat, Titus A. Randall (Deborah), Robert “Bobby” Fisher, Jamie V. Fisher (Casin), Joi Fisher, Jibreel Fisher, Qadir Branham, Jamir Fisher, Jaide E. Fisher, Journee Fisher, Jasmine Taylor, and Alexis Taylor. Great-nieces and nephews: Asa White, Cassidy Fisher, Madison Fisher, Marley Fisher, Titus Christopher Randall, Tyson L. E. Randall and Leo Davilla. She was preceded in death by her brother Andre V. Fisher. She was also predeceased by her niece and nephews Jasmynn M. Williams, Christopher Rose and Thaddeus A. Randall. Her special sisters-in-law Helene Gibbs and Tonette Jeffcoat. Her special friends: Sasha Simmons, Monique Thompson, Tiffany Ellison, Cheryl Hollins, Erica Branch, Marlena Thomas, Ernie Butler, Anton Hargrave and Cynthia Oakley. And she leaves a host of cousins and friends in Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware and Philadelphia.