Kathy Roark Mitchell Funeral Service

Welcome/Scripture

Kathy Roark Mitchell was born on September 19, 1966 and passed away on April 6, 2019. She was known as daughter to Becky and Jack, sister to Steve, mother to Brook and Russell, wife to Daniel, niece to many aunts and uncles as well as cousin to many. To all of us present, we also knew her as a friend. As we gather today to celebrate life in the midst of sorrow and trying to comprehend why these things happens, I am reminded of the promises of our God found through out His word, but especially in the Twenty Third Psalm:

Psalm 23 KJV 1900

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

As someone that walked with Kathy throughout most of her life as a mentor, friend and pastor, the family has asked Gordon Noble to share some memories and also offer a prayer.

WRITTEN IN RED

BACC Choir

I knew Kathy for a very short time prior to her husband Daniel’s passing. I learned pretty quick that Kathy was matter of fact and very resourceful. She started singing with the choir and needed to have glasses to see the words. She came one Sunday and had 2 pairs of glasses on her head. Before anybody could say anything she was quick to say that her new glasses had not come in yet and she wanted to make sure she could see. Kathy loved her music as she would sing soprano or alto, whichever was needed at the time. The song the choir sand was one of her favorites. Brook has shared with me that Kathy loved a wide variety of music. She loved singing in the choir and evidently liked some that might have been a bit harder. Brook shared that her mother stopped real quick at a convenience store when she was very young, left the music playing and came back to find Brook doing a head banging to the song that was playing. Kathy loved to remind Brook of that.

Steve tells me that she liked to tell the stories of their young childhood. It seems she was quite the instigator and would lead Steve down a path of being somewhat of a daredevil. One story has Steve sitting in a car at the driver’s seat and and Kathy being in the back telling him to pull that arm beside the steering wheel down and off they went! I am told the car rolled down the hill and luckily did not crash into anything. I understand that there also a time where she coaxed Steve up to climb up on the house by going up a mound of dirt during a renovation then jumping off.

One of the best things that happened to Kathy was her husband Daniel. When he tragically died, it was quite devastating to Kathy. He had taken good care of her and as soulmates, she had a tremendous void in her life that she just could not get over. She was very honest with me about that loss and how it had impacted her so. Many of us including her immediate family prayed for her and with her to have peace.

The Bible tells us in that the Lord establishes peace for us. In fact, God’s plan for each of us is to have peace with Him, with ourselves and with each other.

So where do we go from here? How do we find that peace in a tumultuous time as this?

Psalm 29:11 NIV84

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV84

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

I don’t have answers as to why Kathy was taken from us so soon, but I can tell you this, she is experiencing the peace of God now better than she has ever before and better than what we can understand.

I am convinced that because of Kathy’s relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she is no longer in turmoil. I think she is understanding more fully, more than ever what it means to sing the words of her favorite hymn, Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine!

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! O what a foretaste of glory of divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Would you help me honor the memory of Kathy by singing this great hymn just now?

SING BLESSED ASSURANCE

In , we see that Jesus going through some turmoil and He says:

John 10

John 12:27 NIV84

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

I am 100 % sure that Jesus came for this very hour as well. He is able to provide care and comfort to each of us and especially to you dear family. Jesus said in another place a few chapters over in

John 14:1 NIV84

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

We will leave this place in a few minutes. We will continue to mourn, continue to ask why, but remember you are not alone. You are surrounded by a family that loves you, churches represented in this room that deeply care for each of you, and a God in Whom you can trust.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV84

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Please pray with me.

Father as we close our this service, we are reminded through your word that You are with us and You give us great comfort. Father as we celebrate the gift of Kathy in each of our lives, help us to live out that which we have learned from her life. We pray that You walk close to each family member especially Brook, Russell, Steve and Becky in the days and weeks to come. Guide them Father, in the decisions that they may have to make and lead them in the way everlasting. Thank you for the blessed assurance that Jesus is Kathy’s and He is with each one of us who simply call on His name. Grant us peace in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.