Bernard Marsalis

Bernard Marsalis Jr. AKA “B.J.”

On January 20, 1993 a handsome little boy name Bernard Marsalis Jr was born to the proud parents of Bernard Marsalis Sr. and Connie Mckay Marsalis in Greenville, MS. As he continued to age and grew older, he developed a personality of being silly, easy going, and not taking anything too serious. Some called him “The Gentle Giant because of his 6' 5 / 300lb frame.

BJ accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized as a member under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Paul Williams at Agape Storage Christian Center in Greenville, MS.

In 2011, he graduated from Greenville Weston High School. He was a member of Ice Age stepping group, which he was so proud to be the tail when they stepped. According to BJ, this was one of the best spotlights of being a Senior.

After high school, BJ obtained his class A CDL driver's license with Hazmat. He also attended Miss Delta Community College, receiving his Technical Certification in Welding.

Brooklyn, Bradley, and Brayden Marsalis were BJ's pride and joy of his life. His love for his kids was unconditional, and he did his best to show his love towards them every minute they were together. He enjoyed cooking for them, snow cone dates, riding around and listening to music with them, and talking to his about life.

BJ was always optimistic about his challenges and life struggles. Through it all, he never stopped believing in Jesus. And on Thursday, December 28, 2023, the Lord called BJ home to be with him.

Preceding him from this life was his mother Connie Mckay Marsalis and grandparents from Miss Junius and Mozella Marsalis.

He leaves to cherish his memories with his daughter Brooklyn Marsalis, two son's Bradley and Brayden Marsalis, his father Bernard Marsalis Sr., his sister Whitney Marsalis [Floyd III] Lee, two brothers from another mother, Brandon Smith and Kemuel Cummings, his online video game buddy Carl Lawson[Law] from Belleville, Illinois his grandmother Gladys Mckay, and two nephews, a host of aunts in Little Rock, AR. Grand Prairie Texas, uncles in Greenville, MS, and a long list of cousins and friends in Arkansas and MS.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00am at Hardy Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, 5300 West 12th Street