Rev. Bernice Withers

Rev. Bernice (bur-nuss) Lynn Scott was born Feb 18, 1952 in Atlantic, Iowa, to Marvin Reuben “Shorty” Scott and Gladda Rose Turner. The family lived in Anita, Iowa, where Shorty was section foreman for the Rock Island Railroad and Gladda was a homemaker. Graduating as Valedictorian from Anita High School in 1970, she attended Iowa State University, where she finished a degree in mathematics education in three years. She then became a statistician for the Iowa Department of Social Services (DSS) in Des Moines where she met her future husband, John Matrow. She completed a Masters in Library Science from the University of Iowa. She married John in 1978, and then moved to Wichita, Kansas the following year where they were active at Pine Valley Christian Church. In 1982, they were blessed with Rachel Mary Matrow and in 1984 they were blessed with Rebecca Rose “Becky” Matrow. In 1994, they started attending Fairmount United Church of Christ. By the time the girls were teenagers, she felt called to the ministry and enrolled in Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While a student, she was pastor at First Salem United Church of Christ in Wichita where she was ordained January 2, 2002. She graduated from Phillips in May of 2002. She and John went their separate ways at that time. Bernie trained to be a hospital chaplain at Wesley Medical Center, where she felt passionate about helping families find comfort in the Lord at their time of joy or sorrow. After suffering a stroke in January 2013, Bernie moved to the Life Care Center of Andover, Kansas. There she would meet Jack Withers. They were married on September 5th, 2015. Two of her proudest moments was Rachel’s graduation for Air Force Basic Training and Becky’s graduation from Kansas State University. Bernie always loved children, reading and animals. Besides cats and dogs, she had rabbits and guinea pigs as pets. She also enjoyed crafts such as knitting and cross-stitching. She enjoyed spending time outdoors through taking her family camping. She was an avid music lover and was active in church choirs while harboring a deep appreciation for Broadway musicals. Bernie is survived by: her husband, Jack Withers; daughter, Rachel Glenn; and 4 grandchildren; daughter, Rebecca Matrow and 1 grandchild; brother, Marvin Scott, his wife, and 2 children; brother, Roger Scott, his wife and 2 children. Family Visitation, 5:30-7:30 pm, Monday, April 25, at Broadway Mortuary, 1147 S. Broadway. Funeral Services, 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 26, At Fairmount United Church of Christ, 1650 Fairmount St. Family will have a Committal Service at Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa on Thursday, April 28. Services by Broadway Mortuary.

Visitation

Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Monday, April 25, 2016 Place: Broadway Mortuary Chapel
1147 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211

Funeral Service

Time: 10:30am, Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Place: Fairmount United Church of Christ
1650 Fairmount St., Wichita, Kansas 67208

Burial

Time: 11:00am, Thursday, April 28, 2016 Place: Evergreen Cemetery
Anita, Iowa

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