Arvin Maurice Dula

    Arvin Maurice Dula, 84, of Berea, died suddenly Thursday, February 13, 2025 at his residence. He was a North Carolina native born May 21, 1940, son of the late Arvin Cecil and Alice Roberts Dula, and had been a resident of Berea most of his life. Maurice was a Berea College Graduate, Class of 1969, completing a Business Administration Degree. He served on the Berea Fire Department in the 1960s and early 1970s. In the mid-1970s, he was a partner in Dula and Scudder Funeral Home and Precision Machine Shop before accepting the position of Superintendent of Berea Cemetery, where he served for over 22 years until his retirement on December 31, 2005. After his retirement, he served part-time as Funeral Director at Reppert Funeral Home.

      Maurice was a longtime faithful member of Glades Christian Church, where he served in numerous positions, including Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, worship minister, interim pastor, and author of Religious Plays and Monologues that he wrote and directed. During his pastoral career, he served as pastor at Newby Christian Church, Wayside Christian Church, and Speedwell Christian Church.

      In addition to being active in his church he was very active in community organizations including CASA Board Of Directors, which is short for Court Appointed Special Advocates, a national organization that trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused or neglected children in the legal system, Kawanis Club, Berea Lions Club, Berea Chamber of Commerce, Berea Chamber of Commerce Spoonbread Festival Car Shows.

      Survivors left to cherish his memory are his children Marjory (Charles) Benfield, Kenneth (Lori) Dula, Debbie Payne; sister Martha Dula; grandchildren Patricia (Eric) Meyers, Heather (Josh) Grove, Emily (Brad) James, Matthew (Sara) Dula, Allison Benefield, Jeremy (Annie) Payne, Jared (Jennifer) Payne; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; as well as numerous relatives, friends, organization members, community members and church family. He is also survived by his loyal cat companion, Grogu, and loyal dog companions, Alec and Zeek. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years in April 2024, Barbara Faye Hunter Dula, and son-in-law Earl Payne.

      The family would like to express its special appreciation to Diane Rynerson and Regina King for their love, care, compassion, and thoughtfulness.

      Funeral Service 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Reppert Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Fulton officiating. Visitation 12:00 noon until service time. Burial will follow in Berea Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be Dr. Keith Long, Billy Linville, Matthew Dula, Jeremy Payne, Jared Payne, John Coffey, Todd Caudill, Randall Stone, and Greg Abney. Honorary Casket Bearers are Veral Bryant and William Abney.

      Leave condolences for the family, share a memory, light a memorial candle, or plant a tree in a National Forest in Maurice’s memory at www.reppertfuneralhome.com