Bere was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dr. Marion M. Church. He is survived by his wife, Ann Wiggs Church; a son, Beresford Lee Church III (Becky) of Sherwood; a daughter, Melissa Church, of North Little Rock; and by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Bere grew up in North Little Rock and attended North Little Rock Public schools. Bere could read and knew his multiplication tables before he started first grade. He was quickly promoted to third grade at the age of six. He attended public schools through the tenth grade, and finished his high-school years at Culver Military Academy, in Culver, Indiana.
Bere then got his B.A. at Vanderbilt University, his M.B.A. at Columbia University, and his L.L.B. at Vanderbilt. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi, an international legal honor society and the oldest legal organization in continuous existence in the United States.
Upon completion of law school, Bere was admitted to the Arkansas Bar and began his legal career in 1955 with Spitzberg, Mitchell, Bonner and Hayes, which later became Mitchell, Williams. He practiced with the Mitchell firm until 1979, at which time he became a sole practitioner. Specializing in real estate Law, Bere represented mortgage companies and banks whose properties were in Arkansas. He was among eighty-one Arkansas lawyers listed in the 1989-90 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He retired in 1999.
After retirement, Bere became an avid gardener and a back-yard farmer, while remaining a jazz enthusiast and a rabid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
A special thanks to the staff at Baptist Springhill, especially his nephew Dr. Michael C. Church whose help and compassion for his favorite uncle contributed to his long life and was a source of strength and comfort to the family.
Funeral will be held at WindSong Church of Christ, 3 WindSong Drive, North Little Rock, Friday, January 10, visitation at 10:30-11:30, memorial service immediately following.
Honorary pallbearers: Cody Church, Anthony Wiggs, John Breashears, Bobby Engleberger, and William Whitworth.
Memorials may be made to WindSong Church of Christ Building Fund or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Griffin Leggett Rest Hills. Sign the online guestbook at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.
