Bernice Tarrants, 89, of Martinsburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at St. Andrew's at New Florence, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville with Reverend Justin Keith from Martinsburg Community Church  officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until the service time at the funeral home.

Bernice was born on March 19, 1936, in Martinsburg, Mo. She was the daughter of Orville (Bill) and Aleta (Boicourt) Davis. Bernice met Charles Tarrants after he served in the Army in the Korean War. Charles was the medic during his time in the service. Charles and Bernice were married on June 5, 1954, at Martinsburg Community Church. They raised their family south of Martinsburg in a house they built. They often referred to their home as being in "God's Country" they loved the hills and trees in northern Callaway County. They were married for 50 years. "A single yellow rose will do" was a part of their love story. She was a loving wife, caring mother and grandmother.

She attended Fair Oaks School near Martinsburg, until the school closed and she was sent to the New Community R-6 High School. She was part of the first graduating class in 1954. During her school years at Fair Oaks School, she and her siblings would walk to school or ride their horse (4 at a time). Her Principal Mr. Paxton at the time gave her an A in gym class, having picked her up at school when she was sick and drove her home. Bernice and family walked through pastures and woods to get to school, while the neighbors kept an eye on their safety, offering hot chocolate on cold days.

Bernice was a member of the Community Church in Martinsburg. She raised strawberries for years along with a big garden. Teaching her daughters to garden and can. She also served as an election judge in Callaway County with her sister Margaret for 30 years. Bernice worked at Gamma Road Nursing Home for several years. She loved to play cards, bingo, fishing, and going to the boat with family.

Family was so important to Bernice, she loved spending time with her children, grandkids and brothers and sisters. She didn't know a stranger, and you could often hear her singing "Jesus Loves Me" to all.

Survivors include three daughters, Debbie Thoenen of Camdenton, Darla (Kevin) Deimeke of Martinsburg, and Lisa (Verlin) Beede of Martinsburg; two brothers, Leslie Davis of Wellsville, and Alan (Pam) Davis of Wellsville; three sisters, Fern Penn of Middletown, Phyllis Lawrence of Middletown, and Lois (Kelly) Spiers of Wellsville; 12 grandchildren, Wayne (Amy) Thoenen, Daphne (Ryan) Richardson, Stephen (Brianna) Thoenen, Christopher Tarrants, Lacie Tarrants, Josh (Melissa) Deimeke, Nicki (Justin) Poindexter, Ben (Kayla) Deimeke, Trista (Kayla) Reeves, Adam (Breanna) Reeves, Julia (John) Trower, and Tiffany (Denver) Beede; one sister-in-law, Shirley (George) Haislip; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Tarrants; both her parents and Charles's parents; a son Dennis Tarrants; a grandson Clinton Deimeke; three sisters, Margaret Bentley; Janet Higgenbothan, Ann Klante; brother, Leland (Butch) Davis and an infant brother, Orville Leroy Davis.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Clint Deimeke Outdoor Foundation. Memorials may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates, Wellsville, MO 63384.