Nana's Graveside Service

Welcome & Scripture

It was a Monday, 80 years, 10 months and 13 days ago.

The summer is in full swing.

Top #1 song in the USA

Merry Macs - Jingle, Jangle, Jingle

TOP MOVIES

The Phantom Plainsman Directed by John English.

Lady in a Jam directed by Gregory La Cava.

The US president was Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat), the UK Prime Minister was Winston Churchill (Conservative).

The US had just entered into WWII the previous Dec. of 1941 and it is in full swing.

Jun 2 Red Sox star Ted Williams enlists as a US Navy aviator

Jun 7 Battle of Midway ends: Admiral Chester Nimitz wins 1st World War II naval defeat of Japan.

Jun 7 USS Yorktown sinks near Midway Island

Jun 14 Anne Frank begins her diary

FASHION

Popular 1940s outfits for women included square-shouldered jackets with simple blouses and a matching skirt, shirtwaist dresses in long or short sleeves.. Thanks to celebrities like Katherine Hepburn, pants were now a staple in women’s fashion, usually paired with a colorful blouse and matching coat. With silk and nylon rationed and then banned in clothing, women would either go without stockings or would create the illusion of them by putting tan make-up on their legs and drawing a line on their calves to mimic a seam.

Even in the early part of the decade, many men wore military uniforms, but those who didn’t had to deal with the same clothing restrictions women did. Many men chose to wear their older 1930s style suits to support the war effort by conserving material.

But none of this mattered to Lawrence and Vernice Wolleat in Los Angeles California.

You see, they were about to have a little baby girl on Jun 29th 1942. And her name would be Jean Rae Wolleat.

You see, today we get to remember that once little baby girl as the amazing women she became and was in all of our lives as Jeane Davis. And we get to praise God the Most High for her present reality she is in, beginning her eternal stay in heaven with Jesus at the right hand of God the Father.

ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY

I would like to welcome each of you here this afternoon.

We are honored, grateful and praise God today to have a chance to remember the life of Jeane Rae Davis.

There is a real struggle here today, because the truth is that while we seek to remember and celebrate this afternoon, we also grieve and mourn this afternoon.

So today I wanted to begin with scripture, to allow this scripture to fill your hearts this afternoon and to be reminded of the hope that we bear and also to remind us today of where Nana is this very moment. And just as Psalm 116:15 tell’s us that, “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

John 14:1–6 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Job 19:25–27 ESV

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

So, this afternoon, we are joined this day by our great God

and King who Himself is in the same struggle as us of

grieving a life lost but celebrating a FULL LIFE LIVED.

PRAY

“Lord I pray for your Holy Spirit to be with us this morning.

Lord allow us to mourn together and know that it’s ok to

grief and mourn together as we will miss such an awesome lady in our lives on earth, but Lord let us also

keep a right perspective to praise your name this morning

for knowing the reality of where NANA is at. Lord

let us look to you for comfort and peace this morning. Let

our tears of grief and hope be worship in your eyes today.

In Jesus name, Amen.

SONG: “In the Garden” by Alan Jackson. (2:54)

Eulogy / Obituary

Jeane was born June 29, 1942, to Lawrence and Vernice Wolleat in Los Angeles California. She attended school in LA and met Wesley Davis. She married Wes while he was in the Navy and they were married for 49 years. They had two daughters, Jeanine and Robin. They lived in Inglewood, CA and later moved to Chino, CA. Jeane attended school after her daughters were born and became a LVN and worked as a nurse in California. In 1971, Wes and Jeane moved their family to Texas and made Abilene their home. Jeane continued her career as a nurse working for a newly graduated doctor starting a new practice, Dr. David Bailey. She remained his nurse for approximately 20 years until Dr. Bailey unexpectedly passed away. Jeane loved Dr. Bailey and his family and their many patients. She continued to work at Abilene Diagnostic Clinic for the remainder of her career. Jeane and Wes were members of Southwest Drive Methodist Church where they made many friends and enjoyed serving in many areas of the church. Jeane is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Wes, and by her beloved sister, Charlene Jaenecke. Jeane is survived by her daughters, Jeanine Kesey (Monte) of Monahans, Robin Downs (James) of Abilene, one brother, Willie Wolleat (Sharon) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, nieces, Sara Currah (Nathan) of Chico, CA, Kelsey Amalfitao (Mario) of San Pedro, CA and Natalie Thimsen (Jorge) of Phoenix, AZ. Grandchildren, TJ Downs (Melissa) of Spring Branch, Tx, Tiffany Perry (Jason) of Buffalo Gap, TX, Leasha O'Sheilds (David) of Lawn, TX, Jennifer Schrader (Adam) of Beavercreek, OH, Crystal Hammond (Landon) of Abilene, Texas, and Dayton Ferguson (Adrian) of Buffalo Gap, TX. Jeane was the proud Mimi of 20 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

SONG: The Commission by Cain (3:15)

Mess to Family and Friends

There’s a few things to know about Nana.

The lady was tough, stubborn and hard headed.

She loved her family.

And she loved serving others.

And she knew exactly where she was going after her death here on this earth.

1. Everybody who has ever known her knows how stubborn she was. Even from recent stories that was told to be about her having to take her medicine. Robin and mom literally having to try to pry her mouth open just to take her medicine like a littler toddler. Those nurses can sometimes be the worst patients right!

You also have the memory of before becoming a softy to animals, standing out on he front porch yelling at the dogs to stop barking!

She was always straight forward. If she had an opinion about something going on in your life she would let you know about it. And if she felt a little more feisty that day, tell you how to fix it.

Or like in the words of her two own daughters...

“WE LOVED HER… BUT SHE WAS HARD HEADED!”

If she had it set in her mind that’s the way that it was.

Things had to be a certain way. If Robin didn’t do the curtains or if the couch wasn’t centered. She would let Robin know. The pillows even had to be a certain way.

If Robin used the wrong detergent, you bet she would let her know about it.

But because she was so stubborn, and hard headed. The LADY WAS TOUGH.

For all of us family… just think to yourself how often over the course of time you would come over to see Nana, or she would come to one of our events or homes and she would have a big old BLACK EYE.

It happened all the time!

I thought about putting a picture of Nana with a black eye in the slide show because that was one of her regular looks.

She would fall. Get a black eye. And laugh about it. That’s what would happen.

And on occasion, blame the black eye on her daughters in front of the firemen.

2. She might have been very stubborn and hard headed… BUT MAN DID SHE LOVE HER FAMILY.

She always wanted to keep the grandkids when she was able. Whether that be taking Leasha’s kiddos to school, or taking Braylen to their outings at Big Lots, or keeping them on Friday nights. I remember often being over at Nana and Papa’s house. as a kid. Some of my best memories is having Christmas Eve there at their house every year.

She would always talk about her mother and always talk about her sister.

And more than anybody, Nana loved Papa. Nana and Papa were so committed to each other that they were married for 49 years!

Nana was so committed to Papa that she was even willing to follow Papa to Texas after Papa had hitchhiked to the State 1971 to find a new home for his family. He hitchhikes back to California. Grabs Nana and the family and drives them to Texas. All the while Nana is crying asking her where he is taking her. But it didn’t matter where they laid their heads, they were together for the long haul. Till death they would part.

But even after death, Nana would continue to stay committed by taking out the last Anniversary card from Papa and laying it on her counter.

3. Nana also loved serving others.

By her very vocation, she dedicated her life to helping and serving strangers. She had a unique love for bing a nurse and working for Dr. Bailey and his family. She felt as though being a nurse was one of her greatest accomplishments.

She would still talk about it! About her patients and the people that she cared for. Since Nana’s passing, many of those whom she cared for have reached out! And said how much they appreciated the work and care of Nana when they had seen her.

She also loved serving her family and friends or even strangers.

From sowing together blankets from your clothes as a child, clothes for her daughters, blankets for great grandchildren, or uniforms for waitresses at a restaurant that needed new uniforms, or making mask during covid to wear.

They loved serving and loving people with the hands of Jesus and being a part of their church at Southwest Drive United Methodist Church: They would invite people they had just met over to their house to have meals, they would collect socks for those who needed it.

Papa and TJ even helped the church design and make a sign that bother Papa and Nana were very proud of.

SHE LOVED TO SERVE OTHERS. She exemplified what Jesus said

Matthew 20:26–28 ESV

26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

4. By her actions of humbling herself so often, one could not mistaken who she she had faith in.

Her actions showed her love for her Saviour.

I went right after Easter, about a month ago now and I had a great conversation with her. She really hadn’t been talking much about the whole experience with her diagnosis and all. And so I went just to be curious and ask questions. In the conversation she told me of her testimony coming to know Jesu as Lord of her life when she was in HS. And of serving others in the midst of Easter. At one point I just plain out asked her and I said Nana, are you afraid of death now that you know that your race on this earth is coming to an end.

MY thought there was you know: even for some beleivers we may be a little afraid or nervous, not because we don’t know where we’re going, but just because we have never passed through to this side before. This is a first. That was my thought.

SHE LOOKS OVER AT ME WITH THAT LOOK LIKE, “Well thats the most ridiculous question I could have ever asked!” LOL!

And she says after that, “I’ve just always been so sure.”

Now I understand that at other points through the last few months she may not have been in that spot… but in that moment between us two… she had no doubt and had no fear.

What an incredible showing of faith.

I know for a fact that Nana, like many others who have gone on to eternity, would be there waiting for me one day with their arms crossed and giving me that look, if I finished this funeral without presenting the GOSPEL. Telling all of you how you one day can also be in eternity with God the Father with Jesus at His right hand.

HOW YOU CAN HAVE SALVATION

GOSPEL

Maybe you’re here today, and you have no doubt where you are going after your stay here on this earth. You believe in Jesus and like Nana you know. That’s awesome! And praise God!

Maybe you’re here today and you really don’t care either way.

Maybe you’re here today and as I begin into this spill, you’re thinking to yourself oh here we go again about this Jesus thing. And that’s ok.

JUST KNOW THIS… It was evident through Nana that her life had been changed by Jesus.

Her life had been transformed from the inside out.

Those who are living here with no hope, no transformation within your soul, no knowledge of what’s to come after death… listen to the testimony of Jeane Rae Davis.

HER LIFE OF SERVICE FORCES YOU TO MAKE A CHOICE.

A CHOICE OF WHAT YOU THINK OF A MAN NAMED JESUS.

C.S. Lewis said something to the effect of this...

“He cannot be moderately important. Either He is a liar, lunatic, or Saviour.”

We must choose who Jesus is?

I urge you here today, those who do not believe in Him to

consider Jesus AS LORD.

THREE CIRCLES

GOD’S DESIGN

YOU SEE>>> We see beauty, purpose and evidence of God’s Design all around us.

The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly - where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.

God Made each of us with a purpose to worship Him and walk with Him.

The Bible says:

Psalm 19:1 CSB

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.

SIN----------------->

But then we decided to ignore God and HIs original design for our lives and because of that… life doesn’t work they way it’s supposed to.

We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this SIN. We all sin and distort the original design.

The consequence of our sin is separation from God - in this life and for all eternity.

The Bible says:

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 (CSB)

23 For the wages of sin is death.

BROKENNESS ---> ---> ---> ---> --->

So this sin leads to a place of brokenness for us all.

We see this all around the world and in our own lives as well.

When we realize that life is not working, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own.

Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater. (Haven’t you felt it?)

The Bible says:

Romans 1:25 (ESV)

25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.

GOSPEL

At this point, we needed a remedy ---- some good news!

Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness.

Jesus, GOD IN HUMAN FLESH, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s design.

Jesus came to be that remedy - to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

He took our sin and shame to the cross, and paid the penalty of our sin by His death.

Jesus was then raised from the dead - to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a right relationship with God.

The Bible says:

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Colossians 2:14 ESV

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

REPENT & BELEIVE ---> ---> ---> ---> --->

Simply hearing this is not enough.

We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting ourselves. We don’t have the power to escape the brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued!

We must ask God to forgive us - turning from sin to trust only in Jesus. This is what it means to repent and believe.

In believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.

The Bible says:

Mark 1:15 ESV

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

RECOVER & PURSUE ---> ---> ---> ---> --->

When God restores our relationship to Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world.

Now we can pursue God’s design in all areas of our lives.

Even when we fall, we understand God’s pathway to be restored - this same GOOD NEWS OF JESUS.

We continue to live out the GOSPEL.

God’s Spirit empowers us to pursue His design and HIs presence.

The Bible says:

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

SALVATION IS FOUND IN JESUS AND JESUS ALONE.

Come to the feet of Jesus today, so that one day Nana may greet you when you finally arrive at home.

I would be overjoyed to spend time with you this afternoon

after this service and begin the conversation of figuring out

who this Jesus guy is in your life. The salvation that He

provides.

A conversation that is created from the lives

and testimony of Jeane Rae Davis.

PRAY

SONG: “How Great Thou Art” by Alan Jackson. (3:32)

End of Service Notes

Remind family about meal at Copper Creek at 3 PM