Berneice Loftis

Berneice Loftis, 97, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at a local care center.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, August 20 at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ernest Jett officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery.

Berneice was born October 31, 1911 in Denton County, Texas to Robert Ross Carter and Zella Alston Carter. She graduated from Waco High School in 1931 and attended TSCW now known as Texas Woman's University from 1932 to 1934. She married Troy D. Loftis on November 19, 1936. He passed away September 1, 1969. Berneice retired from Montgomery Ward in 1976 after 26 years of employment. She was Past Worthy Matron, McLennan Chapter 639, of the Order of the Eastern Star. She taught Ladies Bible Class at Highland Baptist Church from 1970 to 2000 and taught English to Spanish speaking students for many years.

Berneice was loved by her daughters and grandchildren. She was a woman who truly loved her family and her Lord Jesus Christ. We will cherish her memory and miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Troy; and her son, Troy David Loftis who passed away January 4, 1974.

Berneice is survived by her daughters, Janene Loftis Jett and husband, Ernest of Joplin, MO. and Donna Loftis Klein and husband, Gary of Waco; nine grandchildren, Jacqueline Loftis Johnson and husband, Kevin of Carthage, MO., Julie Jett Watts and husband, Philip of Nixa, MO., J-J Klein King and husband, Michael of Houston, Elise Klein Bodenbach and husband, Michael of Owatonna, MN., John Joshua Jett of Joplin, MO., April Klein Pruett of Waco, Stephen Christian VonJett and wife, Bridgette of Vilseck, Germany, Stefan Wayne Klein of Waco and Adrianna Jett of Joplin, MO.; and twelve great-grandchildren.