Comments on: Civil rights activist, pastor and social work professor Titus Bender was a catalyst for social change

By: Gene E. Yoder

Gene E. Yoder — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 17:14:25 +0000

Hi Ann:
So sorry to hear about Titus’s passing. I have very fond memories of the uncle Al farm and our many visits with your family. Then of our visiting you guys in New Orleans back in the early 70s. You and Titus introduced us to the French Quarters. What a treat.

Special blessings to you and your family. There will be so many adjustment in your life without Titus. Fern and I will lift you up in a special way during this holiday season.

God Bless,
Gene and Fern Yoder

By: Lori Bender

Lori Bender — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 01:21:19 +0000

I am a relatively ‘new’ person to Titus and Anne’s family (just 8 years now, I guess), and as such don’t have the same historical memories, but by-golly I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the wonderful oral rendition of the events in this article (from his perspective), and how much it means to me to know that others can attest to his amazing-ness! He is my dad, perhaps only through marriage to Michael, his son, but he is so much of the father I never had. His chair on the balcony here in Canada sits empty, yet full of summer memories. The small cups he used for coffee are being used as I write, the smiles and laughter he filled our house with (while we played DutchBlitz together) will forever be in my head. His anger and frustration at how minorities and women were being currently treated had him talking non stop. He would say things like ‘We need to remember to do the right thing, and love one another.’ He wanted to never forget the happenings of the past, and to keep the stories alive, so that we could always choose to do right by people who are different from ourselves. One of his biggest thoughts was to treat his children with respect and love, and tell us ‘we are all in this together’. He has emboldened me to be a better mom, a better wife, and a more caring person to people around me. I consciously choose to be like Dad as I age, too. I will encourage people to love and accept LGBTQ, women’s rights, the rights of First Nations, African American rights and so on. Sometimes I can hear his voice still. He would say “That’s sweet. Anne.. just like you.” I love that. He was always full of love, still is (wherever he flies) and I’m grateful I have his son around me to talk about him nonstop now. :) Miss you, Dad. Love you Mom. Will Skype soon. Love you bunches. ~ Lori

By: Sara Grace Miller

Sara Grace Miller — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 15:53:18 +0000

I visited in Titus Bender’s home in Greenwood Delaware when we were children. He had wonderful, sweet parents so I can see why he was so loved. I hadn’t seen him since that time.

By: Sandy Drescher-Lehman

Sandy Drescher-Lehman — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 14:18:33 +0000

I suddenly feel so sad to think that Titus isn’t with us in the same way anymore, to hear his laugh and feel his passion and sense his love, but I know the spirit of God and of right living that he instilled in me as a student in the 70’s and as a person every since, will continue to be strong in this world. I’ll never forget the trip he and Ervin took with some of us students in tow, on an EMU Spring break, to visit their alma mater, Tulane University and eat raw oysters and crash around Burboun St. in New Orleans. The most memorable thing to me that has emboldened my courage and goodness in having a holy ire, was the day we watched a garage attendant try to kick an African American homeless man out of his warm sleeping place. Titus went ballistic on him, asking him if he would’ve treated a white man in a business suit like that…….it was an astounding and beautiful thing to this passive Mennonite teenager. After graduating from Social Work at EMU, I wanted to serve under the VA Mission Board as a volunteer counselor in the mens prison outside of Harrisonburg and they told me I would be good at that except that I was a female. Titus “went to bat” for me and told them (what I remember anyway), that he had just taught me that I could do anything I’m called to do, and they gave me the position, which has helped to shaped the rest of my life, as Titus has. What a special man I’ve loved and who I always knew loved me.

By: Denise Snyder

Denise Snyder — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 13:51:10 +0000

Titus played a major role in setting my life course to work for social justice and advocate for folks whose voices aren’t being heard. I graduated from EMC in ’79 so I had Titus as a teacher during his early years there. His stories and class discussions made social work come alive and married it to a Biblical understanding of peace and justice. I’ve often thought of him over the years and know I am indebted to his leadership and spirit. Blessings to his family and friends.

By: Rachel Harding

Rachel Harding — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:24:43 +0000

Dearest Friends,

I am so very sorry to read the news that Titus Bender has passed. As the article above indicates, Titus and Ann were dearly beloved friends of my parents — Vincent and Rosemarie Freeney Harding. The story of their meeting at the gas station in Mississippi and of my dad and Titus sharing the “kiss of brotherhood” is one I heard many times growing up. My father always told it with great pleasure and pride in Titus, knowing that in that era, his friend risked a great deal to be true to the ideals of his faith. I met Titus and Ann several times when I was a child. I remember visiting with my parents and brother at EMC sometime in the 1980s and I recall how warmly we Hardings were welcomed and how much my mom and dad enjoyed talking and reminiscing with their good friends.

As an adult, I have learned that my parents’ relationship to the formal Mennonite Church became somewhat strained by the late 1960s. But when I was growing up in that time, I had no such sense because my mom and dad maintained so many rich and wonderful personal relationships with long-time friends like Titus and Ann Bender; Paul and Lois King, Edgar Metzler, and Al and Ann Zook, among others. These were people, throughout my life, that my parents exchanged Christmas cards with, who they talked to at various times throughout the year and who they were very happy to see whenever the opportunity arose.

My mom and dad cherished Titus and Ann in a very special way and always spoke highly of them to me and my brother. The joy was audible in my dad’s big voice when he would receive a call from Titus — “Oh my brother, it’s so good to hear your voice!” he would proclaim. My dad would smile broadly and laugh heartily at whatever news and memories they were sharing together. My dad loved Titus very much and after my father passed a few years ago, it was my deep joy to receive a note from Titus and Ann sharing their kind thoughts and condolences.

I would like to return that favor, and will send a personal note to the family at the address indicated in the article. But for the moment, I just wanted to register here my parents’ great love and admiration for this man, Titus Bender.

In this moment of profound disconnection and national dis-ease, represented by the current presidential administration, it gives me great encouragement and strength to remember Titus Bender and the tremendous character and dedication he brought to the work of social justice. May his tribe increase.

Peace,

Rachel Elizabeth Harding

By: Sara Norman

Sara Norman — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 02:01:07 +0000

Titus Bender was a great professor! I was not always interested in learning but his courses really kept me engaged. He taught me about different cultures and differences in people. That those differences are to be respected and not feared. I loved talking to him after class and he always made time for me. Prayers going out to his family and friends.

By: Cathy Monsoyr

Cathy Monsoyr — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:44:15 +0000

Titus was our Pastor at the Mennonite Church in Meridian , Ms. To know him was to love him. He and Ann Bender are two of the most beautiful souls that God ever gave breath. He touched the hearts of everyone he met. Even tho they left Mississippi 50 Year’s ago, they remain in our hearts and lives today. My sisters and I call them our God Parents cause that’s what they are. We love and miss them so. Please remember Ann in your prayers. They were married 59 years. Also their precious children Anita, Maria and Michael. The world lost a Legend but God gained one of best. Till we see u again T-Titus, we love u so!????????

By: Cindy Harper

Cindy Harper — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:26:56 +0000

Titus was a major part of our lives when he was in Meridian, Ms – He was our pastor, friend and a beloved part of our family. Thankfully we were able to visit with him last year. He will be greatly missed.

By: Cheryl (Wenger) Dean

Cheryl (Wenger) Dean — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:53:10 +0000

Titus was a wonderful professor and mentor to me as a social work and sociology major at EMU. He had a huge influence on so many students and in the community at large as a leader and educator for peace and justice. He will be greatly missed as his legacy lives on through those he taught and influenced.

By: Wes Moyer

Wes Moyer — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 10:01:00 +0000

Praying for comfort and peace for the family.