Bernice Marie (Miller) Damon Obituary (1925

Our loving mother, Bernice Damon, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2022 with her youngest son, David, at her bedside. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Al Damon, as well as her sisters, Arvada and Alberta. Bernice was born to her parents, Albert and Lucy Miller on a farm outside of Sterling, Kansas. She had many wonderful memories of growing up on the farm with her sisters, raising a truck garden with her mother and attending a small country school, where she was very proud of winning all the footraces and was "even faster than the Smucker boys." Bernice was working in a doctor's office in Sterling when she met Al Damon, a student at Sterling College. They soon were married and embarked on a lifelong journey. Bernice accompanied Al to Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, where he completed his seminary studies and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. Bernice was a loving and hardworking help mate, as they together tirelessly and faithfully served churches in western Kansas, San Francisco, Milpitas, Ukiah and even New Zealand. Mom sang in the choir. I can still hear her beautiful soprano voice in her solo rendition of Ave Maria. She also actively participated and held many leadership positions in bible study, women's fellowship, and couples groups, to name only a few. Along the way, Bernice and Al raised three sons-- Joel, Chuck and David. Our mother had to put up with so much silly energy, fighting and mischief! On top of all of her church responsibilities and her demanding roles as wife and mother, Bernice nearly always held down a job. In Milpitas, she worked for the American Cancer Society and later she held administrative roles in a local middle school. She even went door to door selling Avon products. In Ukiah, she worked in a doctor's office for many years. She balanced all of these demands on her time and energy with grace and style. Bernice's generous spirit, kindness, beauty and strength will be missed by her loving family and friends, but we are all comforted in knowing that her earthly burdens have been lifted and she has been joyfully reunited with her beloved Al, her parents and her sisters rejoicing in the presence of our Lord. She is survived by her children, Joel (Deborah), Chuck (Kelli) and Dave (Camille), 9 grandchildren and 13 1/2 great-grandchildren... Family and close friends are invited for a celebration of Bernice's life to be held at the home of David and Camille Damon on Sat., Nov. 19, 2022, 2:00-4:00 PM. For further information and directions call 360-271-2713.