In loving Memory of Bernadette Izlar

On Sunday March 12, 2020, Bernadette “Bernie” Patricia Smallwood Izlar completed her journey and bade farewell to this world, and without reservation proceeded to meet her grand and glorious maker. 

Bernadette, the eldest daughter of Bernard Smallwood and Wilhelmina Meade Smallwood (both deceased), was born at Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia on April 25, 1947.  She was the product of DC Public Schools.  Bernadette attended George Bell and Buchanan Elementary Schools, Langley Jr. High and McKinley High School where she maintained high honors.   In high school, Bernadette was very active in extra curricula activities school as the majorette and the city-wide sorority.  She assisted with organizing the city-wide sorority Theta Iota Nu Sorority in which she was a loyal member and leader along with her younger sister Wilma.  Bernadette was also a Junior Debutante.  She later attended the Strayer University for Shorthand and the University of the District of Columbia where she studied Criminal Justice.

Bernadette was baptized at Zion Baptist Church.  She later joined Providence Baptist Church located in SE Washington DC where she participated in youth activities and taught Sunday School.  As an adult, she joined the neighborhood church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer.

Early in her career, Bernadette was employed with the US Department of State.  She also was employed with the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Department of Justice where she met her best friend Annie Mathis.  Bernadette retired from the Department of Commerce in 2009 after dedicating 37 years of her life to the Federal Government. 

Bernadette enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles (the more pieces, the better), 3D jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and all other paper/ tech-based challenging puzzles for adults.  Bernadette had a way of making everyone in her life feel special. 

Bernadette’s greatest love was her family.  She married her high-school sweetheart, Nathaniel Izlar (deceased) and from this union they were blessed with her only child, Sherrell L. Izlar-Carr. 

Bernadette is preceded in death by her former husband Nathaniel Izlar, her parents Bernard and Wilhelmina (Meade) Smallwood, her sister Wilma Clark, her nephew Demyer Barber and her god-son Mallory Rice.  She leaves to treasure her love, memories and home-going; her daughter Sherrell Izlar-Carr (Curtis Carr, Sr.), her cherished nieces Njeri Clark and Demel Barber, her sister Deitrice Barber, her brother Tyrone Smallwood, her god-son Gregory Rice (Lisa), god-brother Zachary Rice (Andrea), two grandsons Curtis M. Carr, Jr and Juluis B. Carr, a great-niece Jordan S. Clark, two great, great nephews Zion and Zayn Johnson, one great, great niece Zari Reign Johnson and an Uncle Eddie Lucas.  She also leaves a devoted cousin Clifton Meade Jr., her god-sister Romaine Johnson, long-time best friend Annie Mathis, supportive family friends Barbara Buchanan and family, good friend Debrah Johnson and a host of other relatives and friends.