Funeral Service For Aunt Mary Ashley Series

Funeral Service for Aunt Mary Ashley

Welcome

Express gratitude on behalf of the family (Acknowledge people coming, cards, flowers, gifts, etc. Offer personal sympathy)

Mary Frances Ashley, age 81, of Dayton, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2019 in the Liberty Health Care Nursing Home. She was born August 10, 1937 in Crockett to parents, Samuel “Levi” Blackmon and Fannie Anner Bowdoin Blackmon. Mary was a homemaker and a member of Woodland Acres Baptist Church in Channelview.

Mary is survived by her children, Erline Garcia and husband, Lupe of New Caney, Samuel “Wade” Ashley of Liberty, Ricky Ashley of Dayton, Thomas Ashley of Liberty; grandchildren, Jimmy Garcia of California, Jonathan Ashley and wife, Roni of Alvin, Stephanie Merlos and husband, Josh of Dayton; great-grandchildren, Payton Ashley, Zachary Merlos, Brooklyn Merlos; sister, Pearl Tims of Crockett; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by, her husband, Wyndell Ervin Ashley; parents, Samuel and Fannie Blackmon; daughter-in-law, Pamela Ashley; brothers, Earl Blackmon, Johnny Blackmon, Sam Blackmon; sisters, Sybil Beard, Fairlee Cooper, Annie May Beard.

Sharing

The book of Nehemiah 5:19 (NASB) contains a prayer. Part of the prayer reads,

"Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people."

Memory is a gift from God. This past year I took a class where I had to do a family genogram and explore the stories of my family. I talked to various people on both sides of my family about their memories. The gift of memory can take us back to times and places that the years have obscured. Memories can awaken emotions that we have been long forgotten. Over the past few days, I am sure that there have been many here who have visited the book of memory contained in their hearts and thought about moments that they had not thought about in quite a while. As you have looked at pictures or retold stories you have remembered the good.

I think that we all want to be remembered for good. In the text of Scripture that we read, Nehemiah, one of the later prophets, prayed a prayer in which he asked God that He would remember him, his life, for good. He wanted to be remembered for the good things that he had done in life by God and perhaps the answer to his prayer is the fact that the book of Nehemiah is contained in the Scriptures so that we also might remember the good of this man's life.

I think that if Aunt Mary can see us this afternoon her desire is that we would remember her for good. That we would use the gift of memory that God has given us to remember the good things that she taught by the life that she lived. To remember the good things that she did that affected the lives that are here to honor her memory today. Oh, there are things in all of our lives we would like to forget--there are bad memories, hard times... But...

Remember me...for good.

Aunt Mary was the baby of a family of 9 siblings. The baby... she never knew her father really, but she took care of her mother, Grandma Blackmon, the matriarch of the Blackmon family. I think if we remember Aunt Mary for good that is a good place to start. I did not have the privilege of knowing Grandma Blackmon. I have only heard stories...

The Bible says to "honor your father and your mother which is the first commandment with promise." It was Mary who took care of her mother, the matriarch of the Blackmon family, until the day she died... Remember Mary for good... and we should emulate her example. There is a blessing for all those who will keep the commandment of the Lord. Not only did Aunt Mary honor her mother she also...

Loved her children. While growing up I spent much time at my Grandfather's house. He was Mary's brother. She would come and visit sometimes and she always had Tommy and Wade with her. Mary loved her children. The Bible admonishes parents to love and care for their children. Remember her for good... Life is not perfect, but we do the best we can... She loved Erline, she loved Ricky, she loved her grandchildren... Oh, if there is anything good that we can be remembered for, let it be said that we loved well... Mary loved well. The Bible says that the wise person will even love their animals, and Mary did. She loved her dogs... She didn't love my grandfather's dogs. They had a good relationship. Grandpa sometimes would whistle for his dog when Aunt Mary would come for a visit and she would run... And they would laugh... I can almost hear her voice saying, "Remember me for good..." and we should follow her example, by seeking to love well in this broken world, and to have fun...