Rev. Bernard Nail

Homer Bernard Nail, 93, went to his heavenly home on January 29, 2021. Bernard was born on March 12, 1927 in Duckhill, Mississippi to John Clifford Nail and Rosa Bell Lot Nail.

After graduating from Grenada High School in 1946 he enlisted in the Army in 1947, where he assisted the Chaplain- thus beginning his call to ministry. After the Army he attended Fulton Bible College in Fulton, Mississippi. Bernard and Maxine Archer met during this time. They married in 1952.

Brother Nail’s first full time church was Smithville Baptist Church in Smithville, Mississippi. While at Smithville he attended Mississippi College. After graduating, they moved to New Orleans, where he earned his Theological degree. He was Pastor at the following churches: Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches, La.; Oil City Baptist Church, Oil City, La.; and Meadowood Baptist Church, Amory, Ms.

They moved to Brandon, Ms., with 4 Children, where he worked as Chaplain at Mississippi State Hospital for 25 years. Also at this time he became interim Pastor at Oakdale Baptist Church and later Walker Hill Baptist Church. Still not ready for retirement he began to work at Ott and Lee Funeral Home for several years but soon found that he was needed as Chaplin of Ridgeland’s Hospice Ministries. While doing all of this, he became a charter member of Brandon Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Sanctuary Choir.

Brother Nail is remembered for his kind word of encouragement for all his family and those in all his occupations as Minister and Chaplain as he compassionately shared his faith in Jesus Christ. We celebrate his life as a faithful leader and a willing heart to serve in many areas of churches, family and the community. He left us with a wonderful legacy of love and caring for others like a shepherd with his sheep. He always found joy in serving Jesus. His hobbies were working with his flowers and growing his vegetable garden. He loved reading and his music both Christian and classical. He was also a terrific role model for his grand children and great grand children.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Clifford Nail and Rosa Bell Lott Nail, by his wife of 65 years Maxine Archer Nail and his daughter Theresa Elizabeth Nail Jordan and His brothers, Edward Nail, Ford Nail, Harold Nail and Ray Nail and his sisters Christine Nail Neely, Bea Nail, and Cathleen Nail Taylor.

Brother Nail is survived by his son, Jeff Nail (Nina); two daughters, Pat Nail McLeod (Larry) and Daphne Nail Keene; son in law, Mark Jordan; brother, Wayne Nail (Mary); sister, Joy Dean Hemphill; nine grandchildren, Angie Nail Lofton (Tommy), Todd McLeod (Jill), James McLeod (Amy), Cassie McLeod Little (Greg), Dylan Keene (Hillary), Zach Keene, Darby Keene, Randy Jordan (Sarah) and Kate Jordan Phillips (Austin) and 10 great grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held for Brother Nail, with a public memorial service to be held at a later date. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brandon Baptist Church Building Fund at 100 Brandon Baptist Dr. Brandon, MS 39042.