Dr. Bernard Irvin Minnis, Sr. Ed.D.

September 25, 1941 - November 13, 2020

Background: Dr. Bernard Irvin Minnis, Sr. Ed.D. was born in Louisville, KY September 25, 1941 to Albert L. Minnis, II and Ruby Handy Minnis. He spent his formative years on the campus of Lincoln Institute, where his father was a teacher. Dr. Minnis received his B.S. degree from Kentucky State University, his M.A. degree from Western Kentucky University and his doctorate from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Bernard I. Minnis passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at his home peacefully with his family present. Dr. Minnis lived his life as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, education professional and artist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Eaves Minnis and brother, Albert L. Minnis, III. He is survived by wife, Woody Jayne and children Danielle Minnis White (Christopher), Bernard I. Minnis, Jr. (Sarah) and Bryant A. Minnis, grandchildren Bernard I. Minnis, III; Micah Christopher, Adeleigh Elizabeth, Cohen Daniel; stepchildren, Dawn Johnson, (Bryan King, Luke Johnson and Del Johnson); Elson (Joshua, Aaron); David Benedict (Sonja and son Degen) and many nieces and nephews. Professional Life: Dr. Minnis had more than forty years of experience in the field of education, including experiences in teaching, he taught in the Louisville school system. Dr. Minnis started out in Paducah and came back to Louisville and taught in the Louisville district. He became a co-op coordinator for programs for disadvantaged youth and that program -- the people in Frankfort asked him to come to Frankfort, to be the director of the program. Dr. Minnis became the division director of vocational education. It was in vocational education department in the state Department of Education. Dr. Minnis came back to Louisville for a fellowship program that was going to give him a doctorate and met the superintendent of Jefferson County. Jefferson County and Louisville were separate districts at that time. Dr. Minnis was asked to be the assistant superintendent or associate superintendent for Human and Community Relations and the districts were merged and desegregated. After retiring from JCPS, Dr. Minnis was an assistant professor from the Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education, Bellarmine University. He taught Ph.D. courses in Learning, Poverty and Social Justice Program and the Principal Preparation/Leadership Programs. Organizations/Charity Work: Dr. Minnis was a member of several professional organizations and sat on numerous boards, including being a member of Sigma Pi Phi Psi Boule Fraternity. He is a member of Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors (Lincoln Heritage Council); Louisville Urban League Campaign for African American Achievement Steering Committee; African-American Heritage Council Advising Committee; Louisville Branch of NAACP; Lincoln Foundation Board of Directors; Coalition for the Homeless Board of Directors; National Alliance of Black School Educators. Awards/Honors: Leadership Louisville (second class); Leadership South Carolina; Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America; Louisville Metro’s 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award by Mayor Abramson; Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s Certificate of Recognition. Acknowledgements: The Minnis family expresses their deepest gratitude, acknowledges all expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness extended to them during this time of bereavement. Special thank you to: David and Tiffany and Mary Sue and Tommy Armour Dr. George E. Thornton, Sr. A.D. Porters and Sons Funeral Home Magazine Street Seventh Day Adventist Church In lieu of flowers and to honor Dr. Bernard I. Minnis, Sr. donations to the “Cecil Ray Scholarship Fund” E.L. Minnis Junior Academy of SDA. c/o Dr. George E. Thornton, Sr. Memorial Visitation: 10am-12pm Friday, November 20, 2020 at A.D. Porter & Sons Southeast, 4501 Bardstown Rd., with a private service for the family to follow at 12 noon. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all services at our facility are limited to 50 people.