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Bernice E. DeVore

WARREN — Bernice Evelyn DeVore, 80, of Warren, passed into Heaven from complications of Parkinson’s Disease early Saturday morning, Feb. 25, 2017, at the Cortland Health Care Center.

She was born March 31, 1936, in Chester, W.Va., a daughter of Frederick W. and Pearl E. Mellott McGaffick.

On April 11, 1953, she married George E. DeVore, with whom she spent 61 wonderful years of marriage before his passing on Aug. 11, 2014.

Bernice served with her husband for 43 years as youth and senior pastor of churches in Ohio, Indiana and Louisiana.

While serving as youth pastor at the First Christian Assembly in Liberty, a weekly teenage group was formed called the A.C.T.S. (Active Christian Teen Session). Out of this group came the vocal musical group The Acts which traveled and recorded extensively throughout the United States. Bernice also traveled for many years with the gospel trio, The Master’s Maids of Hubbard.

She was very active in youth and women’s ministry and had sponsored and directed many retreats, meetings, and conferences in this area. Bernice traveled to India as a missionary and along with her husband traveled as missionaries to Haiti.

She is survived by her three children, Kenneth (Tonya Greene) DeVore of Concord, N.C.; Gina (Dale) Larrison, of Champion, and Lynne (Kevin) Crouch of Garrettsville. She also leaves behind four sisters, Ruth DeLauder, Anna Bailey, Martha Scott, and Katherine Grimes; nine grandchildren; seven grandchildren- in-laws; and eight great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband George, Bernice was preceded in death by three brothers; John, Jim and Bob McGaffick, and three sisters, Lorna Kiernan, Verna Fergusan, and Ethel Tuttle.

A time of gathering for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017, at The Fountain Church of God, 12888 State Route 88, Garrettsville.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. DeVore are provided by the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, 533 N. Park Ave., Warren.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences can be sent to the DeVore family by visiting www.carlwhall.com.

(special notice)