Bernice Torrey

A private family service will be held at a later dateBernice Torrey, 85, of Columbus, passed away at 11:07 p.m. March 12, 2017, at her home.Bernice was born May 4, 1931, in Brown County, the daughter of William S. and Hazel Blanche Roush Pruitt. She married Melvin Torrey January 6, 1951.Bernice was able to travel the world to many countries and states with her husband Melvin while he served in the Army. Terrance and Cheryl both were born in Germany and Karen was born in Georgia. Bernice’s passion was for gardening and growing flowers was where she spent much of her free time, planting and caring for them. Her favorites were roses. She could tell you the name of any flower she encountered. During her quiet time she loved to read, especially her Bible, and she knew it front to back. Bernice continuously enjoyed any time she could spend with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved each of them and shared a very close bond to her grandson, Luke, and they were inseparable.A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.Survivors include a brother, Harold Pruitt; a son, Terrance (Barbara) Torrey of Brown County; daughters, Cheryl Cearing of Franklin and Karen (Veron) Thompson of Columbus; seven grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren with two more due in April.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; brothers William and James Pruitt; and sisters, Wilma Donnoe, Jeanette Watts, Esther Bowles, Virginia Pruitt, Ruth Pruitt, Bonnie Risk and Patti Hanner.