Leslie McCord Bernier

Leslie McCord Bernier, 62, of Bainbridge, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at First Methodist Church with Pastor DeWitt Phillips, Rev. Stephen Webb, and Matt Land officiating. The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Cross Land, Craig Prestridge, and Rock McCord will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF), PO Box 5042, Hagerstown MD 21741-5042 Breakthrough T1D.

Janet Leslie McCord was born September 5, 1963, in LaGrange, GA, the daughter of Jim & Peggi French McCord. She was a graduate of Handley High School, Class of 1981. For decades, Leslie worked in hospitality, which was her gift. She served her community through Bainbridge BikeFest, the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Preservation board, many parades, and as an active school mom & Gemma. Most recently, she worked as a victim’s advocate with Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. Leslie was a member of First Methodist Church (Roanoke, AL).

Known for her million-dollar smile and boundless energy, Leslie was rarely still. She was always busy, always moving, and always doing something for someone else. A devoted professional in the hospitality industry, she spent her career serving others with genuine care, warmth, and attention to detail. Leslie never saw it as just a job, but as an extension of who she was.

Alex and the boys were her world. She poured her heart into being present for them, offering unconditional love, encouragement, and joy. She found her greatest blessing was being Mama and Gemma. You could pick her out at every ball game, cheer competition, pageant, or anywhere else by simply following her smile and her voice.

Those who knew Leslie will remember her tireless spirit, her kind heart, and the way she made everyone feel welcome. Her smile, her work ethic, and her love for her family will live on in the many lives she touched.

Survivors include her daughter, Alex Byrd and her husband, Trey; her grandsons, Sullivan & Lofton; her mother, Peggi Horn; her sisters, Natalie Dixon (Tim) and Amy Land (Matt); her stepsiblings, Heath Horn, René Goodson, and Emmett Horn; and a host of extended family & friends. Leslie was preceded in death by her fathers, Jim McCord and Ken Horn.