Funeral Message for LeAndra Byrd

Introduction

I have been given the honor to bring the message for LeAndra’s service. I wrestled with this message. Not because there isn’t many wonderful things to say about LeAndra or even what God’s Word says, but due to the fact my time with her was only 4 years.

For many in this room, you knew LeAndra for decades or a lifetime. You have many more memories and even deeper connections than I did.

Whether we knew her for a short amount of time or for the longest time, her impact on our lives in no less.

So, what do you say about a woman like LeAndra? Her family described her as strong, loving, compassionate, caring, someone who could be sought for counsel. She was a prayer warrior, a woman of the Word, a teacher of the Word of God, a servant of the church and Jesus.

LeAndra was a force to be reckoned with, a spirit that of conviction that kept you grounded to Jesus and His Word.

So, in all of the memories we share, experiences we collectively have, and life shared with LeAndra; I’m tasked with summarizing her. I feel I’m tasked with speaking her final words to you so to speak which would be about Jesus and the salvation He brings.

In fact, I would be remiss to not share that with you. I would immediately sense those eyes over the glasses resting on her nose looking at me with the thought that says, “Come on, preacher, you tell them the truth.”

LeAndra loved her family

If a Scripture could summarize LeAndra as loving her family, I think it could be found in Proverbs 31.

Proverbs 31:10-17; 26-28

What do we notice in these verses? The woman is of noble character who loves her husband and children.

Ronald and LeAndra were married on Sept. 5th, 1972. Almost 54 years! 54 years to build and live what Proverbs 31 speaks.

She worked hard to provide. She cared for the needs of her own and she leads them in wisdom and loving instruction. LeAndra did this well for her family.

She worked for a long time for the Farwell school district. We jokingly said she kept the Superintedents in line. She was diligent to provide for her family through her job that she loved.

This was not the only one she carried, but one she carried for a long time.

Ronald, Chad, and Quinn all said LeAndra kept them grounded. She would listen, counsel, pray, be patient to point them all to Jesus. She would also used the blessed flip flop on occasion to bring some correction when necessary.

LeAndra loved her family hard and well in the most difficult of times. Quinn faced an incredible hardship medically that LeAndra made sure Quinn was taken care of and loved through it all. No matter the cost to her.

As verse 28 says, her children and grandchildren rise up and call her blessed. Ronald praises her for the woman of God she was.

She didn’t do any of this perfectly, but she did it faithfully.

LeAndra loved the Word and her church

LeAndra served FBC Farwell for many years. The primary ways I knew of was playing the piano on Sunday mornings and leading women’s Bible studies. Even when her health was a struggle for a time, she still played to lead us in worship.

Though I learned through comments on Facebook that LeAndra was a GA leader for a time and she ministered to countless young ladies. Several recalled her impact on their life as a GA leader.

Primarily, LeAndra led countless women closer to Jesus and in the Word through her Bible studies. She loved the Word and wanted others to love it as well.

If there is a Scripture that encapsulates this it is Titus 2:3-4 which reveals that older women are to teach younger women. She knew that good Bible teaching was foundational to the church and to each person’s life.

She modeled for all Christian women a role they carry- to lead the next generation. To disciple people in Jesus.

FBC Farwell has a hole right now. It can be easy to ask, what are we gonna do? It is true that LeAndra was very special to the teaching ministry of our church, but it doesn’t have to stop with her.

Her legacy can carry on with those she had discipled to do the same.

Of course, her love of the Word didn’t stop with just her church, but entered into all relationships she had. In fact, there is a legacy of her’s that was expressed by Chad and Holly that has been passed on to their daughter McKenna.

I was privileged to read a card McKenna wrote to LeAndra sometime in her 8th grade year. She wrote something that stuck with me. McKenna writes,

When people ask who I want to be when I grow it’s always you.”

LeAndra’s character, love of Jesus, and the Word are wrapped up in those words. There are a number of ladies in here who would probably share the same sentiment.

I challenge you, to imitate LeAndra as she imitated Christ. Make disciples, teach the Word, love your church.

LeAndra loved Jesus

LeAndra shared with me one time her journey in the Lord and how as a child she made some sort of profession of faith. However, it was not until she was a young adult that changed and she gave her life to Jesus. She never looked back.

LeAndra’s love for her family, her love for the Word and her church were generated by this love for Jesus. She carried a personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t something intellectual or emotional. It was a real and personal walk with the Lord.

It was because of this walk that she carried a hope to her final moments of life. LeAndra knew that despite the illness that took over her body was lessening her time on earth, there was a great hope of eternity with Jesus that awaited her.

The gospel of Jesus, the good news saved her life and sustained her life even in the most difficult of times.

This is where I feel as though I need to speak what she would say to you.

Gospel Presentation

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, Paul speaks of the most important message to pass on to others. That message is the gospel.

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

Why did He die? Because we all have sin in our lives. It is a nature that leads to action that is opposed to the will, purpose, and glory of God. It also brings brokenness into this world. That sin is in opposition to a holy, righteous, and perfect God. As such it separates us from Him and requires a penalty or consequence. Romans says the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

Spiritual death and separation come with sin and it requires someone to take care of that. Jesus did so by His death on the cross. He took care of what we are incapable of doing.

Christ was buried and raised on the 3rd day

The resurrection of Jesus is the seal of hope over sin and death. If Jesus, who actually died, was raised to new life; so will we. Not only life physically one day, but spiritually.

Ephesians 2 says that we were spiritually dead in our sin, but that God who is rich in mercy because of His great love He had for us, made us alive with Christ.

We are made into new creatures spiritually by Christ’s death and resurrection.

See, all that I spoke of about LeAndra’s life was not something she did, but because of what Jesus did in her. The gospel of Jesus is what made her life what it was.

Admit, Believe, Confess, Surrender

Your life can be changed just like LeAndra’s was too. It involves 4 simple things:

Admit you are a sinner in need of Jesus. You must recognize this fact and express it to the Lord.

Believe in Jesus and the work He accomplished for your as your own.

Confess that you want to move from spiritual death to spiritual life and no longer want to be ruled by sin.

Surrender your life to Jesus. Give Him control and trust in the promise of His truth.

Conclusion

Some might say, what does this have to do with right now. I’m feeling the pain and sorrow of death; of the loss of a loved one.

This gospel truth that covered LeAndra’s life leads to a hope unlike any other. When this life is done and a final breath is taken, those in Christ will be with him forever. LeAndra now rests peacefully in the full presence of Jesus.

But, one day the Lord will make everything right and new. What Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:53-57 will ring true.

One day sin will be no more, death no more, and we will be clothed in perfection. Our bodies will be resurrected and be made new. Death will be swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ.

For now we feel the sting of death. It hurts and we grieve our loss. But, for those in Christ Jesus we do not grieve as those without hope.

This is the hope that LeAndra clung to, believed wholeheartedly, and wished for all to know and believe.

If you find yourself in a place realizing you do not have this hope, please come see me after the service and let’s talk some more.

There is not greater joy or honor I can think of in LeAndra’s legacy for someone to come to faith in Jesus even at the service of the remembrance of her life.