Milestones, April 2020
Memorials
Darci Thompson
1977 – 2020
Darci Thompson
Darci Noel Grisso Thompson passed from this life into heaven Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. The youngest of five children born to Wayne and Judy Grisso, Darci began melting hearts on Sept. 8, 1977, in Shawnee, Okla. Those who encountered Darci fell in love with her beautiful spirit, relentless energy, passion for life, and her love and kindness for every soul. Darci graduated from Shawnee High School in 1996 and Oklahoma Christian University (OC) in 2000. She fell in love with OC and served the University for 20 years. She attracted thousands of students to OC and dedicated herself to their academic, social, and spiritual growth. As she started her own family, she became a champion for health and wellness, leading the OC community toward faithful stewardship of God’s gifts of life and wellness. Darci married Mark Thompson in 2006 and became a mother to Tinley in 2011 and Tallulah in 2013. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with Tallulah and spent her last seven years this side of heaven researching and battling for her life and others, while loving her husband and daughters immensely through difficult circumstances. Her journey was shared and supported by countless friends and family, brothers and sisters in faith, who will be forever impacted by her beautiful spirit. Darci loved deeply. Her love will live on in countless lives for many generations.
Betty Sager Bender
1927 – 2020
Betty Bender
Born August 22, 1927, in Benton County, Ark., Betty was the daughter of the late Albert E. Sager and the late Pearl Martin Sager. On Dec. 8, 1945, she married Duane Dean Bender who preceded her in death July 2, 1995. She was a graduate of Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark., and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Anderson College in Anderson, S.C. at the age of 70. Before moving to Columbia, she and her husband did mission work for over 30 years in the northeast United States. Mrs. Bender was a member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, where she was very active in mission work with Let’s Start Talking. She went on several mission trips around the world.
Survivors include her daughters, Rachel (Reagon) Wilson of Tinton Falls, N.J.; Beth (Mark) FitzGerald of Yuma, Ariz.; twin brothers, Jon (Katie) Sager of Fayetteville, Ark., and Joe Sager of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren: Jeremy Wilson, Jason Wilson, Jared Wilson, Joshua Wilson, Brad FitzGerald, Julie Furxhi, Tyler FitzGerald; and nineteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her son, Randle Sager Bender.
W.B. Clark
1927 – 2020
W.B. Clark
W.B. Clark was born May 26, 1927, to his parents John Taylor and Gladys May Clark in Lufkin, Texas. He passed from this life on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at his home in Channelview, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Charlene Clark; and his daughter, Judy Gail Spinks. He is survived by his children: Gary Dean Clark, and Gaye Lynn Franks and husband Daren; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
W.B. attended Harding College where he studied mathematics and Bible and graduated with his degree in 1948.
W.B. began preaching and teaching Bible classes at an early age and preached full-time for 25 years in the Church of Christ in Georgetown, Livingston, Mineral Wells, and Justin, all in Texas.
You could get a glimpse into his heart by his favorite hymns that he loved to sing, such as: “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Stand by Me,” and “He Gave Me a Song.” W.B. was dedicated to God, the church, and his family. He loved reading the Bible and took his last breath while the book of John was being read to him. It was recently stated, “W.B.’s life was a sermon.”
With Appreciation
The Christian Chronicle appreciates and acknowledges a generous gift received in memory of Merlene Simmons.
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