Vicky Dunlap Funeral

Obituary

Vicky R. Dunlap of Niles passed away at 11:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. She was 79 years old.

Vicky was born on January 6, 1940, the daughter of the late Steve and Julia Stevens Smith.

She had an entrepreneurial spirit. Vicky owned numerous businesses in various industries throughout her life, from floral design to cleaning services. In addition, Vicky was also employed at Niles Christian Assembly.

Mrs. Dunlap was a free spirit. She loved various dancing styles and at one time took ballroom dancing lessons. In her free time, she enjoyed crafts. Vicky also had a love for scary movies. She was very involved in her community with charity work through different organizations.

Her husband, Norman Dunlap, whom she married January 13, 1973, passed away on November 14, 2010.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Kimberly (Don) Danko of Cincinnati, OH and Dr. Christine (Kevin) Grassel of Mt. Gilead, OH; a step daughter, Kimberly Dozier of Struthers, OH; a step son, Norman “Duke” Dunlap of Struthers; a brother, Jim (Theresa) Smith of Girard; a daughter-in-law, Beth Fair; 15 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren. Vicky is also survived by a dear friend Frank Nuzzo of Niles.

In addition to her parents and husband, Vicky was preceded in death by a son Thomas Fair; a brother, Thomas Smith; a sister, Rosie Jones.

Requiem for the Living

Don't weep for me when I'm gone Those who knew me, know full well that in love and in laughter I lived as a prince And, in my heart of hearts, I served my calling Waiting for this time to come, when I would see my king

The first time I heard those words I didn’t really understand what they could mean.I knew what they meant. I understood seeing my king… I understood what it meant to serve my calling, at least I think I did. But those words to that song didn’t hold the same meaning for me when I first heard it as they hold today.Something happens when you lose a loved one, someone that is close to you, someone that you have known and grown up with or had a long lasting relationship with . In times like these we turn in so many directions looking for meaning, looking for a reason, for answers.

The Vickie I knew

As I was working through the loss of Vickie, and as I was praying and getting ready for today one Biblical figure came to mind.

Acts 9:36–42 HCSB

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. She was always doing good works and acts of charity. In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:36-42

This sums up What i know best of Vickie..

She was always doing good works and acts of Charity, Vickie did not know how to say no, she cleaned, and everything had it’s place. (gum story)

she cooked, she helped, she gave. At least once a week she would come in and want to talk about who needed help.. Hear servants heart was evident. And as is evidenced today there are many people touched by the life of Vickie. Vickie understood something that we can all understand, that we all should understand.

Matthew 6:19–21 HCSB

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Vickie knows some things now that we just can’t see yet. There are a few things that we all know, things that are inevitable. We know that there is a season for everything. We read in Ecclesiastes about the seasons how there is a time to plant and a time to sew a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to be born and a time to die. We also read that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgement. So we understand that life on earth is finite, and yet Paul tells us this.

1 Corinthians 13:12 HCSB

For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.

Paul

While our earthly life is finite. It has a beginning and an end, we are not finite creatures we are made for eternity.

John 14:2–6 HCSB

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.” “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The beauty of a life lived as Vicki lived her life. In service to others and to the God she loved is that it has not ended. VIcki stepped out of this portion of her life, and into not just the next chapter, but into the life she and all of us were designed for. A living breathing active life in the presence of her creator.

Psalm 16:11 HCSB

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

-12

Vickie walked that path of life and is not in the presense of the God she loved. She is experienceing that Abundant joy and the pleasure of walking and living and being with those that have gone on before.

*end with explaining her faith*

Conclude with prayer.

Commital

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of this world unto himself the soul of our deceased sister, we therefore commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Benediction: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.