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
passing of her beloved Jim - greatest desire was to be with
him again - last Friday morning her wish came true.
▪ Doug:
. His mom was dedicated to her husband - he was the love of
her life
. Remembers that his parents were always Mom & Dad to
everyone. All the friends called them Nana & Papaw.
▪ Grandchildren - daughter-in-law - or even extended members of the family - they always knew they were part of her family who accepted them with open loving arms and a sweet gentle spirit.
▪ Her family (Overall) - Alice was viewed as a gracious woman who loved her family and was the source of their strength no matter the situation.
▪ To me she was my Aunt Al
always steady - always joyful - always happy - and always "full of stories" of her beloved Jim, Giles and Mary (her brother - my dad and mom), Bill and Elois (her brother and his wife) and their escapades. [Now you be careful Aunt Elois - Remember I have heard a lot of those stories!]
In the morning hours of this past Friday death came peacefully to Alice - after slipping into a comma her spirit left this earth and she is now happily united with her beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:8).
A Saviour that she began a walk with when young and that has continued unto this very time and now will continue throughout eternity.
Aunt Al’s membership along with her beloved Jim’s was maintained with New Salem Baptist Church on Bethany Lane.
IV.
Even though some of us don’t attend church regularly - it is memorial services like these that cause us to stop and think about God and eternity.
A. This is a very natural thought for there are very few who believe that all
there is of life is for one to be born, someday die, and then cease to exist.
For most people their deepest instincts and convictions tell them there is something beyond the grave. That death is not the final answer.
Hebrews 9:27 declares that it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.
Thus for each of us there comes a moment when time ceases - a moment when we leave the bonds of time and enter another world -- the world of eternity - an eternity forever in the presence of God or forever away from God and no longer able to ever receive His love.
Death is a by-product of Adam’s rebellion and our sins
▪ The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23a).
▪ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
B. This is why Christ told Nicodemus that in order for us to see the kingdom of God - one must be born again (John 3:3).
This new birth we believe is only accomplished through repentance before God and believing in Jesus Christ. (Eph 2:8-9) says - For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. [NKJV]
If Aunt Al were standing here in my place today and if she could speak to you - she would tell you without any hesitation that:
▪ For Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life and no man can come to the Father but by me (John 14:6). - To her there was no other way.
▪ Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). - She trusted His righteousness, not hers.
▪ Paul wrote - I make known to you brethren, the gospel ... by which you are saved ... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:1-4). - The gospel of Christ was the basis of her faith.
Because of Christ’s perfect life, crucifixion, and resurrection - those who come to Him in faith have no need to fear death - for the Christian death is now but a door that leads to everlasting joy and fellowship with the Lord.
C. Today Aunt Alice would testify to this truth - for she is now [standing next
to her beloved Jim] rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Perhaps if she could she would say to us:
I’m Free
(Author Unknown)
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that place at the close of day.
If my passing has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.
D. Therefore, I urge you today to consider that life is short [understand that
80 + years in age is not that "old" compared to eternity] and that we do not
know when death’s door will be opened for us to step through.
It is my hope and desire that you will be prepared to walk through that eternal door. If you are not prepared for eternity I urge you today to look to and trust in Jesus Christ for mercy and grace before God.
Conclusion:
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 11:16a - "A gracious woman attains honor" [NASB].
Mary A---- A-- you are a gracious woman - Looking around this room with people who knew and loved you - one thing becomes very clear ... if life is measured by what’s left behind ... your life was truly a successful one - you will be greatly missed by all who have known you.
Prayer: Father, we come now before your throne and thank you for the privilege of knowing and being a part of Alice’s life. We ask that you will be pleased to allow the name of Mary A---- A-- to always be honored in a way that brings glory to Your name. We lift her up to you for she is now in your hands for eternity.
In Jesus name.
Music: Medley - How Great Thou Art, In the Garden, etc.
Bruce Allen
February 21, 2006
bea0210@hotmail.com
