Celebration of Life Service- Carolyn Krebs

INTRODUCTION

Today is a day for those of us here that we were not looking forward to.

Today we are here to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Carolyn Krebs.

Carolyn meant many things to many people, as you heard some of the snippets of her life from the obituary Lee shared with us today.

Today is a difficult day for those who knew and loved Carolyn.

We are going to miss this wonderful woman so much.

However, on the other side of the coin, one of the greatest gifts Carolyn gave us was knowing where she was going!

Carolyn was baptized into Christ decades ago, and she lived her life for and reflected Jesus during her life.

For Carolyn, she has passed on to be with Jesus, to be with the one whom she lived for.

We can rejoice with her; we do not have to say, “she is in a better place,” as hollow or empty words, but we can say it with confidence and conviction!

For Clarence, this is a difficult time; my parents were together for 60 years when my mother passed, and Carolyn was at Clarence’s side for 75 years!

What a blessing to have the privilege of having such a fine woman at his side for so long!

Seventy-five years is nothing when we compare it to the eternal life we have in Jesus when we belong to Him!

As I pondered Carolyn, the first passage that came to mind was the passage in Proverbs 31:10-31.

This passage catches the essence of Carolyn's identity and how I believe many others saw her.

Let’s turn to the passage.

Proverbs 31:10–31 (NET 2nd ed.)

10 Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

11 Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends.

12 She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life.

13 She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands.

14 She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar.

15 Then she rose while it is still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

16 She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard.

17 She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms.

18 She perceived that her merchandise is good. Her lamp would not go out in the night.

19 She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasp the spindle.

20 She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy.

21 She would not fear for her household in winter, because all her household were clothed with scarlet,

22 because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

24 She made linen garments then sold them, and traded belts to the merchants;

25 her clothing was strong and splendid; and she can laugh at the time to come.

26 She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

27 Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:

29 “Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

31 Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

MESSAGE

When you look at verses 10-12, it describes her and the blessing she has been to Clarence all the years they were together.

When Carolyn said I DO to Clarence, she knew it was for a lifetime; she also knew that she was called to be a blessing to Clarence and he a blessing to her.

Too many marriages end because one or both in the relationship were selfish instead of selfless.

A great deal of the remodeling and improvements here at FCC was done by the hands of Clarence, and who was right by his side, working alongside him?

Carolyn was.

Two peas in a pod.

Carolyn was not someone for Clarence to walk all over, which he would not have done anyway.

Carolyn had a way of getting her point across if she felt something needed to be done differently and could do it without tearing down and destroying people.

Carolyn has an elegance to her that is part of her sweet spirit.

As much Clarence has done for the church, it would have been easy for a spouse to be upset with the time away from home, but instead of going that route, Carolyn chose to be beside her husband.

You can see Carolyn’s fingerprint on her children and, I am sure, her grand and great-grandchildren.

Verses 13-18 in Proverbs 31 reflect how she took care of her home.

Verse 14 speaks of bringing food.

I do not see how her whole family does not weigh a ton; Carolyn could cook and bake like nobody's business.

Carolyn was kind, compassionate, and caring.

I cannot imagine ANYONE not liking her.

Carolyn was a woman of faith who loved Jesus.

Carolyn served in various roles in the church throughout her life because of her love for Jesus and His church.

Proverbs 31:26–28 (NET 2nd ed.)

26 She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

27 Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:

These passages fit Carolyn to a tee!

Carolyn was wise, a hard worker and her children and husband love and respect her deeply!

The Proverbs 31 woman is not an easy standard to reach, but with love, grace, and elegance, Carolyn managed to do it!

CONCLUSION

This is not an easy day for us to face; however, even though Carolyn is no longer with us in body, she is with Lord, and when we are in Christ, so will we.

I think we are all in the same mindset; we are glad Carolyn is no longer suffering.

Carolyn fought her cancer for a long time.

We were blessed to have her with us longer than she would have been a few years ago.

But watching this once vibrant woman decline so much over the past few months was hard to watch.

Do you know one thing I will never forget?

Clarance was at her side the whole way.

Today, in the midst of our sorrow, let’s focus on the joy we can have knowing where Carolyn is, waiting for us to come to see her again!