Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary // Donor’s Wish to Honor Husband and “See This Work While I Am Living”

Donor’s Wish to Honor Husband and “See This Work While I Am Living”

When Mrs. Bessie Tyler became the sole decision maker and financial manager after her husband Ben's death in March of 2005, she wanted to use some of their resources to pay tribute to Ben, a life-long Lutheran. He was, in fact, the first Lutheran she had ever met, since she was raised Baptist in a small town with no Lutheran Church.

"I fell in love with the liturgy; it's so all-encompassing. As a child, I had memorized the verses from Psalm 51 about 'Create in me a clean heart, O God' because I thought it was so beautiful, so I love hearing it in the liturgy!"
Desiring to strengthen the ministry of the whole church, Bess settled on establishing a Charitable Remainder Unitrust through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Foundation. The story of this gift has unfolded over more than five decades.

In 1953, the Tylers bought a house in Norfolk, Virginia, where they lived for a short time until relocating for Ben's work with Virginia Railways (now Norfolk Southern). They retained the property, renting it over the next fifty years. After Ben's passing, owning and maintaining the rental property became a burden and Bess hated the thought that "I would have to this for the rest of my life, but then I heard a little voice in my head say, 'Oh, no you don't."

She called the seminary because she considers the training of pastors very important, observing, "If they are taught well, we will all be taught well. They have so many opportunities to teach, especially with children. They may turn a sad situation into an adventure by teaching the faith." To see about converting the real estate into a gift, she was directed to the Rev. George Sims in the Mission Office for Planned Giving, who assisted her with all the required procedures. As part of that gift, she established the Benjamin C. Tyler Memorial Scholarship.

President Marcus Miller wrote Mrs. Tyler, "Your careful planning and generosity will make it possible for many students to receive the support that they need to complete their seminary studies for many years to come. Thank you for your kindness and faithful example of stewardship."

With the opening of the 2008-09 academic year, Bess eagerly anticipates being in touch with a student recipient of the scholarship.

LTSS

Donor’s Wish to Honor Husband and “See This Work While I Am Living”

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