Titus William Bender Obituary (1932

Titus William Bender, 85, of Harrisonburg, passed away on December 8, 2017 at Fairfax Inova Hospital. Titus was born to Nevin and Esther Bender in Greenwood, Delaware and was the middle child of nine. After graduating from Lancaster Mennonite High School, he attended Eastern Mennonite College where he met his wife of fifty-nine years, Anna (Ann) Yoder. After getting married in 1958, they moved to Meridian, MS where they were directors of the Voluntary Service Unit. During these 11 years he saw the many injustices that were happening to various groups in the community. He became involved in the Freedom Summer of 1964 when many people came to Mississippi to help with voter registration. He also was a member of the Committee of Concern, Committee of Conscience, and the Delta Ministry, all of which were focused on rebuilding churches. He also helped to organize Mennonite Disaster Service rebuilding projects. He was a key founder of Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, one of the first integrated camps in the south. The camp became a place where members of the Choctaw, African American, and White communities could gather. In addition, he was the pastor of Fellowship Mennonite Church in Meridian. In 1969, along with their three children, he and Anna moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. There he received his Ph.D. in Social Work. He then taught in the Social Work Department for four years at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Four years later, their family moved to Harrisonburg, VA where he taught at Eastern Mennonite University for 22 years. During his years at EMU he was involved in many community projects. He was a key founder of Gemeinschaft Home, a halfway house for non-violent offenders, and he served on the State Chaplin Services Board. He was also one of the founders of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Harrisonburg. More recently, one of his interests was following the growth and development of Eastern Mennonite Elementary School. He believed that education in the early years are key to helping young people become peace-makers in our world. He often asked about the plans for the new elementary school and whether enough money had been raised to build the Gathering space. He knew how important it was for people, young and old, to come together as a community. Titus loved each member of his family. He had a way of making each daughter, son, granddaughter and grandson feel like he or she was his "favorite." He always asked about their work, and helped each one to realize that what they did in the world made a difference. He and Ann loved to travel together on the train, especially to Minnesota and Canada to visit their daughter and son and their families. He loved family reunions; these gatherings gave him energy and regenerated his soul. In 2015, he and Ann moved in with his daughter, Maria, and her family. He especially enjoyed hearing stories about each one's day around the dinner table; he laughed often. Titus believed that every person has value and that his or her stories need to be heard. He practiced this belief by listening to and mentoring many students and community members over the years. Much of his work included fighting for the inclusion of marginalized people. He believed that this was the central message of Jesus. On August 2, 1958 he married the former Anna Aileen Yoder who survives. In addition to his wife, Mr. Bender is survived by three children, Anita Bender and partner Ellen Brisch of Moorhead, MN, Maria Archer and husband Joseph of Harrisonburg, Michael Bender and wife Lori of Ladysmith, British Columbia; siblings, Miriam Jantzi of Lima, OH, Paul Bender of Dover, DE, Hilda Swartz and husband Merlin of Bedford, MA, Emma Myers and husband Glenn of Philadelphia, MS, Nevin Bender and wife Lourene of Harrisonburg, Donald Bender and wife Judy of Atlanta, GA; six grandchildren, Zebby Bender, Olivia Ford, Natalie Archer, Gabriela Archer, Ben Kitzele, Amy Kitzele; one great-granddaughter, Julia Lane Ford; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Lura Benner and Mildred Bender. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Community Mennonite Church with Dr. Michael King and Joan Kenerson King officiating. There will be a reception held following the memorial service. His body was cremated. The family will accept visitors at their home, 1236 Quince Drive, Rockingham, Virginia 22801 on Thursday evening from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, 10371 Pine Lake Rd., Meridan, MS 39307; or to the Eastern Mennonite Elementary School, 314 Cornerstone Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com Arrangements entrusted to the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, VA. 540.833.2891