Lucille Little -12-14-24

We gather this morning to pay tribute to the life of a godly woman. Lucille Little went home to be with her Lord on December 10th. It was a journey she had been preparing for all her life.

We gather as those who loved and respected her. We come to help each other in our time of sadness. We do that by reminding ourselves that this is not the end of the story. In fact, in some ways, the story is just now beginning.

In John 11 there is the story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus said to the sisters of Lazarus,

“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?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

What a powerful promise: “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” It is a promise Lucille believed with her whole heart.

In the book of Philippians the Apostle Paul wrote,

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

This is the struggle of every believer. We are eager to see our Lord, but we are just as eager to remain connected to our families and friends. Paul said it was better by far to depart and be with Christ. In my mind, this affirms the truth that when we die, we do not go into a long sleep until the second coming, as is often taught, (because if that were true, there would be no real benefit from dying). Instead, we are immediately in the presence of the Lord. I picture it as the family walking someone to a door and delivering them to the arms of Jesus.

With that picture in mind, let’s pray together.

O Lord, fill us with a yearning for eternity. Help us believe what we say we believe. Help us rejoice for Lucille even as we mourn our own loss. Remind us of the life- and eternity-changing truths of your Word so that we might be strengthened in our faith and drawn closer to you. Help us as we recall and celebrate Lucille’s life and impact. May You be honored as we do so. We ask in Jesus’ name.

Lucille was born on Sept 11, 1930 to Ross and Dorothy Johnson in Pontoosuc. Her sisters and cousins used to spend hours exploring Grandpa Johnson’s farm and creek at the river. The farm is still standing. The girls used to sit in the large door at the top of the barn and wave at the “Hutson Boys” as they drove by. The Hutson boys were the cool kids. A first cousin to these Hutson boys was a young man named Lldon Little.

Lucille remembered how her grandpa would allow the Gypsies to camp for one night on the farm and provided them with a chicken to feed their family with the condition that they hit the road the next day. They were grateful and the Gypsies never stole anything from them.

She also remembered how her grandmother and grandfather sponsored children from Chicago for the “Fresh Air” program. This allows city kids to come live on the river farm for a period of time to learn about the animals and farming.

Lucille grew up in a musical home. Her father played keyboard, trumpet, guitar and the violin. Her mother played the piano and taught school. Lucille had a beautiful singing voice. She was part of the chorus at Schaeffer Pen in Ft. Madison and was in the “Mood Maids” back in the 40’s and 50’s. They sang at various events.

Lucille worked for Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison, Iowa, LaHarpe State Bank and for Little Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electrical. She was a member of the Kum Join Us Sunday school class and the BO Chapter of the PEO. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a charter member of the LaHarpe Mothers Club. Earlier in life she enjoyed singing and sang at several local events and weddings. She served on the board of the LaHarpe Library and the former LaHarpe Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, playing bingo and family gatherings.

Lucille attended church all her life and started to teach Sunday School at age 15. She taught for 45 or so years and kept students on their toes. She was great to have as a church member.

The Littles attended the Methodist Church in LaHarpe and they felt the ministers were becoming too liberal and moved to the Full Gospel Church. From there they became part of the Union Church and served faithfully for years.

We mentioned that Lldon Little was related to the Hutson boys. Lucille met Lldon on a blind date for a New Year’s Eve party. Lucille said she noticed right away that he was a “good looking guy.” Lldon also had an outgoing and fun personality. They were married on July 23, 1950 in La Harpe.

Marriage was not always easy. Lldon worked a great deal. He and his brothers worked in the hardware store in La Harpe and then became Little Brothers, plumbing and heating. Lldon also was trying to farm. Lldon was somewhat impulsive and Lucille was the buffer between him and the kids.

Beginning their family was also not easy. Their first son, Jeffrey was born premature and only lived for a day. They next had Stephen. Steven died of Leukemia which was a devastating blow both to Lldon and Lucille and the entire La Harpe community. Next Lynne came along and then David, Lisa, and then nine years later, the surprise or gift baby, Eric was born. Lucille loved being a mom.

Lucille loved her support group, which was made up of Cerice Hastens, Grovine Sullivan, Diana Irish, and Pat Edmunds. They helped each other through good times and bad.

Lucille often had to adapt. Lldon might come home on a Friday and say we are gong on vacation tomorrow. It was her job to get the family ready to camp (which was not her favorite thing to do.

I don’t know how old Eric was but there was a period when Lucille slept outside of his bedroom so he wouldn’t wander around and get hurt.

Much of the time, Lucille was the disciplinarian because she was at home. She tried washing out Lisa’s mouth once but that didn’t go so well. Her punishment tool was the wooden spoon. Eric can testify that it was an effective deterrent to misbehavior. But mostly, Lucille was patient and wise.

One of the times Lucille did get really excited was when she, Lldon and Eric went mushroom hunting. The guys heard her all excited and they came to find out what was going on. They found her in the middle of a huge patch of mushrooms. She felt she had found a slice of Heaven.

Lucille grew up just after the Depression. It was important to her that her children always went out in public looking nice wearing clothes in good repair.

Lucille was an avid reader. Even at Wesley Village (which she never really thought of as “home”) she always had a stack of books next to her chair. She also had a basket full of our sermon manuscripts, which she read weekly.

Lucille had a charm about her. She was gentle and kind and always appreciated the things people did for her. She seemed content. She would have loved seeing her kids more often, but she knew they all had lives to live.

Lucille had a good sense of humor and had a way of making her point. After Jenni and Eric got married, Jenni was still in school. They would have dinner with Lucille every Wednesday after one of Jenni’s later classes. Jenni thanked Lucille for the meal each week and her response was “I wanted to make sure he got one good meal a week!” However, Jenni said Lucille was a great mother-in-law. Lucille welcomed in-laws as part of her own family. In fact, she even welcomed their parents

Speaking of cooking, Lucille was a great cook even though she lost her sense of smell when she has a severe fever as a child.

I had the joy of having Lucille in Bible study for many years. She always had insightful things to share, and she had a great sense of humor. One of the things I appreciated was her graciousness . . . even when it had been a while since I had seen her at Wesley, she always welcomed me with enthusiasm and never felt the need to scold me. Our visits were always warm and affectionate. I thought a great deal of Lucille. She was a woman who simply radiated Christ. Even if she had not said anything to you about her faith I think people would pick up the fact that this woman had a depth to her that went beyond this world.

She made a quiet yet powerful impact on all who knew her. Even as she reached the end of her life, the nurses who took care of her loved her graciousness. We can’t wish her back now that she has reached the destination she longed for all her life, but that doesn’t mean we won't miss her.

Lucille is survived by four children, Lynne Beaver of LaHarpe, Lisa (Tony) Vento of St. Louis, Missouri, David (Krista) Little of LaHarpe and Eric (Jennifer) Little also of LaHarpe, five grandchildren, Erica Pence, Chris Beaver, Tyler Little, Logan Little and Kaden Little, one great-grandson, William Lldon Pence and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lldon, two sons, Stephen and Jeffrey Little, son-in-law, Steve Beaver, two sisters, Eleanor Rockel and Sarah Tilton and her special cousin, Jackie Thomas.

*****

There are so many passages I could have turned to for Lucille’s life. I could have talked about the Godly woman from Proverbs 31, or compared her faith to Mary of Mary and Martha fame as she spread perfume on the feet of Jesus. We could have looked at the sermon on the Mount and Jesus telling us that we should be salt and light. Or we could have pondered the majestic words of I Corinthians 15 and Paul’s discourse on the resurrection. But instead, I take you to the last book of the Bible in Revelation 14:9-13 where we read these words,

Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”

The passage is obviously set in the end times before Jesus returns to power. There is a warning to those who refuse to give their allegiance to Christ. They will face the wrath of God because they choose wrath instead of mercy. God is a God of justice. But this really isn’t the part of the text that brings us comfort today.

The Bible says, “Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. . .they will rest from their hard work, for their good deeds will follow them.” This is a promise we hold on to today. Though it is sad to think of not having Lucille around for Christmas or at any other time, the fact is that her passing is a blessing. Lucille Little is now where she always wanted to be – with her Lord and Savior. She served Him all her life, and I am sure she cannot conceive of anything better than to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus.

I like to think that when we die and go to be with the Lord, (a blessing reserved only for those who put their faith and trust in Him) our families hand us off to the One who has loved since the world's creation. I like to think missing pieces of our lives come together. People we have missed for so long are there for a reunion. I cannot imagine how it would be for Lucille to meet Jeffery and to see Stephen all grown up. But as great as those things are, they will not compare to seeing Him . . . the One who gave His life so we could be forgiven and live even though we die.

We are told that Lucille can now rest from her work because her good will follow her. There will be a time when she will hear the words every believer longs to hear: “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”

There is much discussion of the kinds of rewards that might be available to those who have served well. But I don’t believe there would be any greater reward than being embraced by my Lord and hearing that He thought I did a good job!

We live in world that thinks that everyone should go to Heaven because everyone is good in their own way. But that is not the Bible’s verdict. It says, “there is no one who does good . . . not even one.” In other words, every one of us needs to be redeemed, made new, had our sin paid for by our Savior.

People who count on their resume as they stand before God will be in for a very rude awakening. Things they thought were exceptionally good and worthy of extra credit will turn out to be only what was expected. You don’t get extra credit for doing what you were told to do.

:Lucille was not counting on her good works . . . she was counting on the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ. The way she lived out her faith is what will reveal the genuineness of that faith.

I’m excited for Lucille! She has long been ready to return home to the Lord, and she has faced that journey with calm and faith. She has served Him well and has been a consistent witness of God’s compassionate love.

Today is not “goodbye,” I hope it really is: “We’ll see you soon. May her spirit and her faithfulness be passed down to us so we might follow in her footsteps.

SONG

There are some lessons we would do well to learn from Lucille’s life.

1. Music has a way of connecting people. It is a gift to be cherished—hopefully, for all of life.

2. Our parents and grandparents have a much bigger influence on our lives than the credit we give them.

3. Sometimes, the cute guy does notice you.

4. Life is not always easy. But our faith in the Lord can see us through even the greatest heartaches. In fact, faith is most likely to grow rapidly during these times.

5. A person of grace will impact people positively wherever they are.

6. Washing someone’s mouth out with soap is more difficult than you might think

7. Marriage isn’t always easy, but if two people can work as a team, they can overcome most of those difficulties—even if it means sleeping in a tent with only a few hours’ notice.

8. Reading is a doorway to thinking, adventure, and growth. We would all be better off reading more and spending less time watching TV or browsing social media.

9. Just because God gives you a special blessing late in life doesn’t mean you aren’t going to need to smack him with a wooden spoon now and again!

10. A gentle and godly woman is much more powerful than a woman who is aggressive and combative.

11. A person who lives faithfully seeking to follow the Lord will reach the end of their life with calm assurance and eager anticipation.

Please pray with me.

Our Lord, thank you for giving us Lucille. Thank for her consistency, her warmth, her heart, and her ever-present faithfulness. We rejoice that she is now at home with you. But, we are left behind. Please comfort us in our loss and inspire us through her life. And this holiday season fill us not with the sadness grief but the gratitude of those who have been so richly by her life. Amen.