Mom’s Memorial Service

1.Opening song-Processional

2.Prayer/welcome message

Good morning everyone. We gather together on the beautiful morning, to celebrate the remarkable journey of a woman who lived life with both passion and love. And in this moment, may we find comfort in the embrace of others that surround us. Even as we speak of the pain and sorrow we all feel that is piled upon the memories of a life. And as we navigate through this sea of emotions, may we find comfort in the tapestry of those memories woven with threads of joy, love, and countless beautiful moments. As we proceed thru this memorial service, and the burial that is to come, let us hold tight to each other, forming a circle of love and peace that captures the warmth and the beautiful spirit of Cecelia Kay Walker. For everything she was. And for my part, it was a privilege to call her “mom”.

Let us pray….…

God in heaven, through Christ, we ask for your comfort and peace to surround us, now, and in the days and weeks ahead. We have come together in our grief, acknowledging our loss. I pray that throughout this funeral service, we will fondly remember mom. May the love we all have for her continue on as we live out the best of who she was in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

3. Scripture reading

I would like to read a few passages of Scripture. Whatever your faith tradition, Mom knew there was a strength in Scripture, as she faithfully read the Christmas Story to her children every year prior to opening gifts. Though we all knew she could barely make it though without crying. She knew that certain things were more important in this life.

So today, to be true to her legacy, I want to share some words of encouragement from that same Scripture.

Probably one of the most familiar passages of Scripture is Psalm 23

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

David describes God as the “my Shepard” who cares for and guides us. Even in our darkest moments. He is there. The green pastures and still waters are symbols of peace that is to be found in God’s presence. While His rod and staff provide protection and support in difficult times. This care, protection and peace bring hope and comfort when we are hurting.

The words of Jesus himself reflect the same.

John 14:1–3 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.

Jesus speaks of a place in heaven, the holy city, prepared by Him for believers, so that where He is, we may also be. This passage reminds us that our ultimate home is with God, and even though our loved ones may no longer be physically present on Earth, they still live in God’s kingdom.

John 14:1-3 beautifully affirms God’s love and the promise of eternal life for believers in Jesus Christ.

4. Reading of the Obituary

Cecelia Kay (Zwiacher) Walker, age 82 and a long-time resident of Konawa, Oklahoma passed away February 14, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Cecelia was born August 15, 1941 in Oklahoma City to Wilbur Zwiacher and Emma Mae (David) Zwiacher.  She graduated from Konawa High School and received her Master’s Degree from East Central University of Ada, Oklahoma.  She married Raymond Douglas “Doug” Walker on December 24, 1957 in Durant, Oklahoma.  Cecelia was a Junior High School Special Education Instructor for the Konawa school system, and attended Center Freewill Baptist Church of Ada.  She loved Christmas, sewing, shopping, gardening, and running around with the ladies.

She is survived by four sons, David Walker and wife, Tee of Blackfoot Idaho, Daniel Walker and wife, Angela of Kent, Washington, Darrin Walker and wife, Amy of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Doyle Walker and wife, Angie of Ada, Oklahoma; one daughter, Cylene (Walker) Willis and husband, David of Stillwater, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Josh, Christen, Joey, Cassie, Chelsea, Kimber, and Webley; and four great grandchildren, Amelia, Waylon, Madden, and Nolan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Doug on August 29, 2015; four brothers, Wilbur, Wayne, David, and Jay Zwiacher.

5. Life Tribute Video

6. Sermon/eulogy

You cannot even begin to condense words into a space that will ever capture a life lived for 82 years in 10 minutes. Mom was a woman of many talents and passions. Born in OKC her family moved to Konawa, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. Our dad Raymond Douglas Walker. Who everyone knew as Doug.

She lived her whole life in this town. Raised her entire family here. Konawa was her home. She worked her first job here, in the same location and same profession for her entire career. Something that is rarely ever done much these days.

She poured her love for children, both into her workplace and her home life. At over 40 years with a Masters in special education, she labored tirelessly , as a teacher, with her students to help them develop the skills necessary to navigate and live a productive life in society. But it wasn’t just her student in her classroom that she taught. She was actively involved in creating student leader through her involvement with Beta club. There she had the opportunity to lead many others who would influence and help students develop their careers. Some as prominent physicians and other types of leaders.

For a number of years, while her children were young, she was actively involved with the local Methodist Church. There, she extended her reach to children even further, by directing the children’s program for some time. How many of you remember the flannel graph bible lessons. Before the days of video? But it wasn’t just the children’s church she was involved in. She was also involved in the music. Where she would play the piano at church and Margrete would play the organ. She could also sing. I recall many times growing up that on Sunday’s she would sing a special song during the service with dad. (more about church here)

Her life at home with her 5 children was no different. She set the highest of expectations for her children. Sometimes to the point of exhaustion. She was a tireless advocate for her children. Always wanting them to achieve their full potential in everything they did. She was always willing to drop what she was doing to help her kids when they were in need. (my first day of college). Or to go to bat for me with the gym teacher when I forgot my shorts because they weren’t clean.

She did whatever was necessary to protect her children from physical harm. (Cylene and the tornado) Or the time she pulled over the truck when Cylene was choking on a life saver. This to say nothing about the countless trips to the doctor that each of us made. Either because we were sick. Or had been just plain stupid. She was a fierce protector. She always said. If you hurt my children. You hurt me!

But mom was not always and only about business. She knew how to have fun. There were times she would go to the lake when Darrin had his boat. And yes I think she even tried her hand at water skiing. But I think some of the most fun times she recalls are the 4th of July parties at the Dye’s. Shooting fireworks. Sometimes not always in the most appropriate of ways. But Margarete, the relational bond our two families have shared was incredibly important to her. I know you and her talked nearly every single day. You were one of her closest companions. And she confided in you about everything in her life. You were a good true friend. And Bryan. She had complete trust in you as her physician. And you took great care of her. And for that, our entire family is indebted to you. The things your family have done for her over the years cannot be over overstated.

But she also had her running buddies. Susie. You were her work partner. You both had your rooms next to each other at the school. And you were truly a God send in her life. It was as though God said. These two ladies are going to be great together. I know she thought the world of you and as the sister she never had.

But we all know mom had a good support system. Her ladies. After dad passed I heard of more than a few stories ( and others that I was told that cannot be shared) about how their group was well known the area. I was reported that they would either quickly draw a crowd or clear a room.

We all know Mom was a very social person. And she never wanted to go out without faithfully having Jonita make her look good with her hair and nails. If you look up the word “bling” in the dictionary. It would have her name and picture right next to it.

But she was also a very emotional person. Boy could she turn on that faucet. And she knew it. She was not shy of telling you that she would cry. Whether she was happy, mad or sad.

I am not up here to tell you mom was perfect. She was not. She made her share of mistakes. Like the time I encored the wrath for breaking the beloved Turkey Christmas platter. But as I recall that moment of my tears buried into the corner of the couch. I also recall the moment she rolled me over and asked me to forgive her. She always tried to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Because she knew that to make mistakes is to be human. And that is the nature of the human condition. To make mistakes. And then ask and receive forgiveness.

Things became more difficult and the pain heightened in the last 2 years. After two hard battles with cancer. She began to have constant pain that was unrelenting from the cancer that continued to make it way through her body.

The last year of her life, she did and said things that may not have made sense to the rest of us. But one thing that was always consistent with mom, right up until the decision to go on hospice. She had hope. Hope that she would be healed. And ultimately she was healed!

That same hope that sustained mom is there for us who are left behind. Left behind to deal with the pain that still exist in our own lives.

We have to begin by acknowledging the pain of loss. Things in this world are not as they should be. As C.S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone to arouse a deaf world. There are no satisfying answers. We don’t always know why suffering occurs. Why it seems that a door is slammed in your face an bolted from the inside.” To question at times like these is natural. But it only shows our need for mercy and grace.

And that is the remedy. The mercy and grace of God. Paul says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Christ’s death is truth that our pain is not dismissed by a God who cannot feel.

From that mercy and grace we find hope. Hope that one day, everything that is wrong with this world will be put right.

7. Scripture reading

I want to read to you from Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthian church.

2 Corinthians 4:13–18 ESV

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

This is why Jesus could tell Martha what He did about her brother Lazarus when he had died.

John 11:23–26 ESV

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

That is the same hope for us today and is the same hope that we will see mom again!

8. Song

9. Closing prayer/remarks

Everlasting King, We acknowledge the reality of death and the powerlessness it brings to our lives.

We ask for your comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Lord, we know that death is not the end but a new beginning.

We pray for our loved one to rise again with Christ and to find eternal rest in your loving arms.

May our faith in you sustain us through this time of grief, and may we find comfort in the hope of the resurrection.

We trust in your promise that those who believe in you shall have everlasting life.

As Rev 21.4 tells us

Revelation 21:4 ESV

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

We thank you, Lord, for the life of our loved one and the memories that we shared with her.

May we hold onto those memories as a source of comfort and joy.

We pray all this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

10. Dismissal

I would like to to thank you all for coming and sharing in our memorial service for our mom. We will be having the burial committal at Konawa Memorial Cemetery immediately following this service.