Denise L. Scott

She made it! Denise L. Scott (Bryan), 53, of Baroda, went home to be with Jesus, her Lord, Savior, and friend. Denise died at home on Friday, January 11, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 14, 2008, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Philip Bubar officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 P.M. on Sunday, January 13 at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place in Riverview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Chapel-An Evangelical Free Church, St. Joseph, or to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Denise was born on November 30, 1954 in St. Joseph to proud parents, Jim and Beverly Bryan. She lived in the St. Joseph area her whole life, graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1972. After college she worked in the upholstery business and later started her own business sharing a building with a man who was to become her husband. She married Michael Scott on January 15, 1983 in St. Joseph. Denise and Mike had two sons Nicholas and Jacob, of whom they were very proud. Denise accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young woman and serving Him became the focus of her life. She accomplished this by being a great mother, friend, and Christian witness. Denise was always looking within herself, trying to improve the way she lived for Christ. She was a great example to her friends and loved ones. She worked tirelessly in her church doing whatever needed to be done. But she especially loved working with the children. She taught Sunday School and always was involved with Vacation Bible School. Denise’s love for teaching led her back to college to become a special education teacher. She taught at the Benton Harbor Charter School and Watervliet High School. Last May she was so proud to attend the graduation of the first group of students that she had taught since they were freshmen. Denise saw her teaching not as a career but a mission for Jesus. Her final wish was that tears would not be shed for her. “Don’t cry for me. I’m where I want to be.” But our selfish tears will be shed because we will miss her so. Denise is survived by her husband, Michael; her sons, Nicholas and Jacob; her father Jim and step-mother Darlene; brother, Bradley (Paula) and sister Vicki Popke; and nephews, Jamie, Ross, Ben, Brad, and Nate. She was preceded in death by her mother, Beverly, and by her grandparents.