Funeral - Loving Elderly Lady

Open and Greeting: Rev. 1

1st Hymn (after Prayer) What a friend we have in Jesus

Prayer Rev. 2

Scripture Reading Rev.3

2nd Hymn Rev. 4 – How Great Thou Art

Eulogy: Rev. 1 (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

This afternoon we have come together to honor Ophelia Tucker. On February 11th she graduated from this world and received the promises of the heavenly kingdom that she placed her faith in so many years ago.

From her family you will find her qualifications as wife and mother receive the highest reports. From her church the discussion goes immediately to her energy and drive to accomplish the work of her God. She served in leadership and demonstrated a living understanding of good stewardship of her time talents and her finances.

Thoes are wonderful basic qualifications that any person would wish to reach while in his world. While they were a part of who Ophelia is they are probably only minor descriptions about who she is.

Let me share part of 1 Corinthians 13 with you V1-8a

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Personally, I believe that Ophelia’s life was built on this scripture. Her personal foundation in life was laid out by the specifications that Paul describes. Her love of family will live on in this world long after her physical presence. As TM, Pam and Mike are continuing the legacy of lives built on love they affect the family and friends because of the drive that love creates in all our lives.

Her love of teaching children has given value to our community in ways that only God can calculate. Children learned to love math because their teacher loved them like they were her own.

Ophelia’s love made her the best friend that you could ever want to have. She was known to be the friend that stays by your side when others feel uncomfortable and move away.

Ophelia is an extravagant person; she gave away all the best things she possessed. Her smile was broad and genuine. Hugs were so plentiful you would have thought they were free. Her personality was gentile and giving and it was to get to know her because there was only one Ophelia. I don’t think that she knew the definition of the word “stranger”, everyone she met were just people that she did not know……..yet.

The sparkle in he blue eyes spoke of joy, excitement, love without ever having a say a word. I imagine the same sparkle could be turned to a righteous fire should there need to be some correction in situation.

Ophelia was the first person to speak to my wife and me when I came to Shannon UMC to be introduced as interim pastor. It wasn’t actually a greeting that she offered….I would guess I would describe it as more of a comment.

My wife and I were sitting on the last row of the church during a meeting were the current pastor was explaining his unexpected departure. During his explanation Ophelia turned around and with a pointing finger raised said, “We are not very happy about this; we want to keep him here.” Then she patted my wife’s hand as we offered that we understood her feelings.

That brief interaction with Ophelia spoke volumes to me about who this lady was. Her statement was not made in anger, it was filled with love, loyalty and shock.

Folks, I have dreaded this day. It was only a few weeks later that the doctors were pretty sure that she was being attacked by a thief. Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is a disease steals from you. At first it seems small and unimportant.

Alzheimer’s steals memory. Her memory was being taken from her slowly at first. Alzheimer’s steals time. In Ophelia’s case, it stole years from her life, and it stole precious time with her children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.

Alzheimer’s steals happiness.

This disease does not just affect the patient. It affects the whole family and even friends as everyone is affected by the changes and the loss.