Patricia Etheridge Service

John 11:25-26

My name is Rusty Burnham, pastor at Friendship church in the Pollard area. I knew Pat through Chris and Emily. It was only a few times that I was around her and when the family told me that she wanted me to preach her funeral, I was humbled! It is an honor to represent her and her family today! Thank you all for being here, to remember Pat and to help comfort the family!

Obit........

Patricia Etheridge 1955 - 2025

**Patricia Louise Ethridge, aged 69, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, with her last moments spent with family and friends by her side.

**Born on September 27, 1955 in Milton, Florida, Patricia lived a life rooted in love, family and simple joys that brought people together. Patricia was known for her warm heart, her generous spirit and her remarkable talent in the kitchen. Her home-cooked meals were more than just food – they were an expression of her care and affection. Among her family’s favorites were her comforting vegetable soup with meat added, rich tomato gravy and biscuits and her cherished potato dumplings. Each dish, a delicious memory shared with the ones she adored the most.

**Though Patricia did not have children of her own, she adored her nieces and nephews and took deep joy in their lives and accomplishments. She was a loving aunt and sister, steadfast presence and a nurturing soul who gave freely of her time, wisdom, and warmth. Patricia’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. Her kindness, her laughter and her never-wavering presence will never be forgotten. She was a lifelong member of Pine Grove Baptist Church. Patricia was a faithful worker at Farmers in Jay for close to 20 years.

**Patricia is preceded in death by her mother, Victoria Long McCollough; her grandparents, Author and Vera Long; brothers: David Etheridge, Bruce McCollough and William McCollough; sisters, Glenda Hayes and Brenda Thompson; an infant sister; and an infant brother.

**Survivors include her sisters Linda (Roland) Phillips of Pace, Florida and Polly (the late James) Holland of Jay, Florida; many nieces and nephews; and precious great- nieces and nephews.

**The family would like to send heart felt gratitude and thanks to the staff of Vitas Hospice at West Florida Hospital, the CCU at West Florida Hospital and the 5th floor staff of West Florida Hospital as well as Dr. Owera and his staff at their location in Brewton, Alabama. They appreciate all the kindness and support that was given to Pat and the family.

Pray.........

One of the verses I have used over the years in times like these is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

The heart of what Paul is writing about in this verse is that all of these attributes that are virtuous and praiseworthy, is from God and they are revealed to us in Jesus Christ. We will get to that reality in just a few minutes. I would like to also use this formula in dealing with you mourning/sorrow. Whatever is good and praiseworthy. The good things!

In the obituary, we read of a Pat as a “steadfast presence”, a “nurturing soul”, “kind”, a “giver of her time”, “wisdom”, and her “warmth” (gentleness).........all of these are attributes of the Lord.......therefore that is a good report of someone!

I thought it was pretty special what was written about her cooking, that it was an expression of her care and love for family and friends. I was talking to Linda yesterday and she was remembering things about Pat, she said that Pat loved her cornbread salad. First thought I had was that this family can cook! You can tell I like food very much! Later on I got to thinking about those expressions of love between sisters and the family, those are precious times that are worthy of our praise!

We all certainly get tangled up the bad things, that she is not here with you all now, but what we can dwell on is that you had an opportunity to be apart of her life and the fact that she affected you so much that you will say “I am gonna miss her”........I believe that is a good thing! The fact that you meant that much to her and she meant that much to her, is a wonderful thought! It is praiseworthy! James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Patricia was a gift, through God’s grace and you can say that you experienced that gift! That is a great thought! I pray that everyone here can let their thoughts be that in the times ahead.

Message...........

Before they moved Pat into Hospice care, I was told that she was in pretty bad shape and was asked to come. When I got there she couldn’t talk but I asked her about praying and she nodded her head confidently and I would also say with what the Bible calls supplication, meaning in great need. I aske her a few moments later about reading some Scripture and in the same way she nodded her head! In those brief moments I saw an assurance of her faith and trust in the Lord. There was an assurance within her in the midst of her struggle!

There is a great hymn, that I love to listen to.....Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.......In the first part of that hymn it states this: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.”

The reality of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ in our life of faith will as the song says cause the things of earth to grow strangely dim. In other words in light of the Glory and Grace of God our Father through Jesus Christ, the things of this world don’t hold any power. Death even!

In John 11:25-26, Jesus brings this truth to Mary, when he came to them after their brother Lazarus had died. John 11:25–26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” .....

Jesus speaks of death here as it is nothing......Because of Him, not because of anything else but Jesus. He states that “I AM”, which everyone around would know that was a declaration of His Lordship!

“I AM the resurrection and the life.....”

Jesus continues almost with a mockery of death......… “he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

The truth of Jesus is what overcomes death.......Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, 4 days after he died. The power is only in Christ......but there is a greater reality there, that Jesus declares in this short passage!

“Whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die..........” This is what the resurrection is all about.......Lazarus was brought back to this life, only to die again, but what makes the difference is our faith in Jesus Christ and through that life of faith here as we live on this earth, we now have everlasting life.......which is the resurrected life, in which though our earthly bodies have no life our souls will be in the presence of God forever, with a resurrected body, a body that is made for Heaven!

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul is speaking of the saints being caught up together, in what is referred to as the rapture. We can also look at death this way.......In verse 17 he states about that event......1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The part I want us to focus is the last part...… “And so shall we ever be with the Lord”.......This is what Jesus is talking about when stating that we will never die......2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Present with the Lord......Ever be with the Lord! No greater quality of life than that! King David knew this in Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Again Paul talks about this in Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” .....He reinforces this in Philippians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

He wanted to depart and be with Christ which is far better..........fulness of joy, never a place for sorrow, sadness, pain, suffering, only joy!.........Pleasures for evermore, glory all around, nothing defiled will ever be in the presence of God, so there will be no trouble!

Joy and pleasure forever because of the Glorious Presence of God and His Son at His Right Hand!

I read this in one of my minister manuals: “The death of a Christian doesn’t seem as tragic to God as it does to us. To us it is separation and sorrow, to God it is a release from the burdens of life.” It is being in His Presence, which is the reason He sent His Son to die and through His death cleanse us from our sins, that we can be in His presence, and through the Resurrection of His Son, the sacrifice was sufficient, therefore guaranteeing us everlasting life.

This was all done because He so loved the world, He so loved Pat, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!

Believing this is the reality of life, this life here is only temporary, but Life as it is referred to by Jesus is eternal life, which is far better than what we have now. In reality, Pat’s life is far better.........Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

However hard the struggle on this earth is, the glory which shall be revealed when we are in the presence of the Lord carries so much more weight that the struggle seems like nothing.....

Paul reveals this in 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

In comparison to the presence of the Lord, affliction is momentary and light!

1 Corinthians 15:53–57 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ......

Again, God’s Word, in light of God’s Glory and Grace, through Jesus Christ, seems to mock death......Here Paul states through our faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ death does not have sting and the grave has no victory, no finality!

To all of us here Jesus has stated this reality...John 14:1–6 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” .......Pat knew the Way, the Truth, and the Life Jesus Christ, now she is in the presence of the Lord with fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore!

Pray.........Over the food, too.......Invite folks to stay after and eat.