Elma Zapanta Bernardo, MD, 88, of South Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at her home on December 4, 2024, after a courageous battle with a rare aggressive cancer. The daughter of Germiniano Bajamunde and Araceli Galleposo Zapanta, Elma was born in Cebu, Philippines. She was a loving mother, Lola, Tita to her family and friends. She was kind-hearted and inspirational to those whose lives she touched.

Elma received her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, and did her residency at Saint Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. The family moved to Charleston in 1984. Dr. B, as she was lovingly known, practiced psychiatry in the Kanawha Valley for 32 years. She loved to read, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ignacio Dizon Bernardo, MD, daughter Maria Teresa Zapanta Bernardo and brother Tomas Galleposo Zapanta. She is survived by her children Maricel Bernardo, Elena Moffatt (Kevin), Jack Bernardo (Laurie), Rita Bernardo, Ray Bernardo (Cherry) and Elsa Lewis (Michael); grandchildren Connor (Kristen), Xander, Riley, Noah, Isabella, Owen, Emily (Darren) and Ryan (Darcey); great-grandchildren Caleb, Ian, Rory, Nick, Noah,  Jefferson, Rosie and Reagan; sister Heidi Zapanta Ranillo, sister-in-law Helen Chiong Zapanta, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Service to Honor the Life of Elma will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, with the Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs officiating. A reception will follow in the Msgr. Edward P. Sadie Gathering Space. The burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.

Visitation is 10am to 11am, prior to the service at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to CAMC Foundation Cancer Research (3414 Staunton Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304; https://camcfoundation.org/ways-to-give/give-to-honor-or-remember/).

The Bernardo family extends a heartfelt thanks to family and friends, Dr. Kok Hoe Chan and the CAMC Cancer Center staff, Dr. Julian Espiritu, Fr. Don, Fr. Roy, Sr. Ida and the Sisters of the Child Jesus at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the staff of CAMC Memorial, Mountaineer HomeCare, A Special Touch In-Home Care, Charleston Hospice, and KCEAA.

Memories of Elma may be shared by visiting  https://snodgrassfuneral.com/ and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.