Funeral Sermon

“Living Hope”

Good afternoon, friends and family. As we gather today, I want to begin by saying thank you for allowing me to have the privilege of conducting this service for Mrs. Janie Roach.

While I didn’t know Mrs. Janie, I have heard some incredible stories and memories of her.

So today as we gather, we plan to do three things:

Honor and celebrate a life well lived

Ask God to give us peace in this difficult day

Remember that there is a promise of Heaven for all who believe.

Born in Greenville, SC, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Alberta Moon Merritt.

1. Mrs. Janie was a Woman about her Family

Janie's family was the center of her universe, and she was the heart of their world.

Janie was a devoted wife to Mr. Kenneth for 40 years.

A mother to Michael, Kenny, Justin and Dana

and grandmother, pouring her love and affection into her family's lives.

Janie had a unique gift for making every person she met feel like a friend, and her infectious smile brightened the lives of everyone around her.

She was the ultimate home maker and wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of.

Michael told a story of hospital runs

Never seemed

2. Mrs. Janie was a Woman that Liked to have Fun

Janie's enthusiasm for Clemson was a defining part of her life. She was a dedicated Clemson Tigers fan and could often be found cheering passionately for her beloved team.

3. Mrs. Janie was a Woman of Faith

Janie was loved beyond compare. Her kindness, compassion, and unwavering love touched the lives of many, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

By her own testimony, she believed in and trusted Jesus Christ as her savior and Lord.

Because of that, she is completely whole and her body that was hurting over these last days is now completely healed and… as Michael said, She is dancing with Dana and Jesus in heaven.

We celebrate her life and we thank God for where she is today!

Right now, we are going to hear a song and then members of the family will join together to share some of the memories they have of their grandmother and mom.

This hurts… how can I have hope?

1 Peter 1:3–9 KJV 1900

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1. Living Hope

a. Abundant Mercy

God paid for us through Jesus

b.