Mary Coby's Funeral

Intro

Thank you all for coming this after noon. We find ourselves here again, on a beautiful day, celebrating the life of a beautiful soul.

Mrs. Mary R. Coby, age 87 of Albertville, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023

Mrs. Coby is survived by her daughter Beverly C. Cobb (Jefferson); son Mitch Coby (Emily); sister Nancy Robinson Brooks; grandchildren Jim Coby (Katie), Jay Cobb (Tisa), Kyle Coby (Michelle), Mitch Cobb (Isabella), Laura Coby, Kady Cobb, and Allie Burks (Scott); 6 great grandchildren; and 3 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Johnnie Robinson; husband James E. Coby; and brother John M. Robinson.

As a young boy, i remember us gathering together with what felt like thousands of people. Everyone with different lives, tastes, walks of life. But none of those things kept us from laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Wow, what a time it was.

In the midst of all of those personalities, was Aunt Mary.

We don’t have time here today to tell every story today, that will be for the days and weeks to come. But i have been told that one of her greatest aspirations in life, was to become a nascar driver. I’ve heard that she didn’t have a way to track her qualifying times, so she would just let the nearest police officer clock her, and the were even nice enough to give her a ticket with her times.

But all jokes aside, there are certain marks of a persons life, that make in impact on those around them.

Aunt Mary was a lot of things to a lot of people, but these are the things that stand out the most.

She was:

Committed

The life of a military wife may be one of the most difficult assignments one can carry. You are expected to carry so much weight with a smile on your face. Never showing any signs of fatigue or frustration. As many of us have seen in our own lives, or in the lives of people around us this is no east task. A task that can overwhelm even the strongest of women. Was she perfect? No. But She did the best she knew how, and that commitment to her family is well represented here today.

She was:

Driven

In a world where women were not yet present in the work force like they are now, Aunt Mary worked her way through the banking industry. From teller to eventually become a branch manager, she was driven to learn as much as possible so that she could continuously better herself! Her work in banking would inspire Mitch and others to pursue the field as well!

She was:

Present

One of the most undervalued attributes of our time is someone who is simply willing to be there. Not just in body, but in spirit. In the casting crowns song “American dream” singer mark hall speaks of a man who believes he’s doing right by chasing the “American dream” but he’s missing his life. One of the verses reads “Not this time son, I've no time to waste Maybe tomorrow, we'll have time to play, And then he slips into his new BMW, And drives farther and farther and farther away” With her children, grandchildren, family, and friends she was present.

She was:

Loved

What does this word mean? We all use it. Whether we “love” our family, or we “love” a certain football team. We all use this term, often in a very reckless way. But Love is this,

1 John 4:10 ESV

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 ESV

19 We love because he first loved us.

In order for us to truly Love anyone else, we must first know the sacrificial love of Christ. The love that freely chose to leave his throne in heaven to come and walk in this hopelessly broken world. The love that sacrificed so much comfort and pleasure so that we would have a selfless example to follow. The love that died on a tree, so that we could be set free.

Commitment, Drive, Presence, and Love.

All attributes that Jesus modeled for us to replicate in our own lives. Attributes in which characterized this sweet Daughter, Wife, Mother, and friend.

Today, Let us remember the words of David

Psalm 31:1–5 ESV

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Aunt Mary, We commit your spirit to the Lord. We mourn, but with the hope that can only come from Christ.