Funeral

Eulogy/Service - Mary A---- A--

Music: Medley - Amazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross, etc.

Prayer: Father, we have gathered in this solemn place to remember the life and mourn the death of our loved one, Mary A---- A--. We come together in grief, and we acknowledge our human lost. We ask that You would comfort each family member and friend. We turn to you now for this comfort, to be encouraged through happy memories, and to purpose in our hearts to seek You out.

In Jesus’ name.

Eulogy: Grand-daughter - Debi P--------

Music: Song - Ava Maria

I.

A. On behalf of the A-- family I want to thank everyone for being here today to express your love and support to Alice’s family and her memory. Your presence is a tribute to her. Thank you for all of your concerns, comfort, kind words, and prayers.

I want to begin by saying especially to DeVere & Doug, as well as to your families, how sorry I am for your loss.

I wish I could take your sorrow away, but I know that I can’t. But please know that eventually this sorrow of today will turn into only good & lasting memories of tomorrow.

B. The loss of a loved one is probably the most difficult time in life. Grief is never comfortable for any of us. We feel empty, stunned, or dazed and then sometimes relieved, glad followed immedidately by sadness. Unusual (?) - No, it is all a part of losing someone we dearly love.

There is no social gathering that tugs at our heartstrings the way a memorial service does.

It is difficult to know what to say at times like this. How do you describe 80 plus years of living in just a few short moments? How do you do justice to someone who meant so much to all of the people who loved her?

The answer is not so much by gathering together celebrating the death of Alice, but instead it is by remembering her life - a life of respect and love.

II.

Proverbs 11:16a states that - "A gracious woman attains honor" [NASB].

Today we have gathered together to honor the memory of such a gracious woman - Mary A---- A--.

▪ She came into this world on March 16, 1925

▪ She entered her rest on February 17, 2006

Who was Mary A---- A-- (Aunt Al)?

▪ Though ...

She never experienced fame or fortune

. never left any great works of art

. never wrote any books

. never made any great discovery

Yet she impacted all of us with her life

. Her goals were high

. Her joys were simple

. Her friendship was unquestionable

A---- A-- was a stable woman in an unstable world.

▪ She was the daughter of William & Agnes L-------.

. born in Mayfield, Kentucky

. grew up in Louisville under the watchful eye of older brothers

- Giles and Bill

. the last of the living children in her family

▪ She was the devoted wife of James A----- A-- for sixty-three

years - they were married on December 27, 1941. In the end she

was by his side caring for him until James passed away on

July 21, 2005.

In Memory of "Their Marriage"

I would like to read the last entry [with their photo] found in the small picture-album of Aunt Al and her life on display at yesterday’s viewing -

I thank you for the love that each has shown,

but now its time I travel alone.

So grieve a while for me - if grieve you must,

then let your grief be comforted by trust.

Its only a while that we must part,

so bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away; I’ll be quite near,

just call me softly and I will hear.

This saying was to her from her beloved Jim - what a tribute to their 63 years of love and marriage to one another.

▪ She was the mother of DeVere and Doug

▪ She was the grandmother of five granddaughters & one great

granddaughter

▪ She was the "Matriarch" of her family - she had a kind demeanor,

but she was also a stern and determined woman!

▪ She was a fighter - for years she battled against cancer & won

▪ She was a neighbor - with a helpful hand

▪ She was a friend - with a kind word

▪ She was a joyous and very happy person - smiling no matter how

life approached her

▪ She was one who had her faith in God to work all things out -

Romans 8:28 - no matter the circumstance

III.

Memories -

▪ DeVere:

. A kind and gentle mom

. One who had an undying love for her husband - who with the