Margaret Ann (Maggie) Jones - 2.20.21

We gather today to remember and celebrate the full and colorful person and life of Margaret Ann (Maggie) Jones. We want to approach this day in the context of the faith Maggie possessed.

In Psalm 27, we read,

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble?

In 2 Corinthians 5 we read,

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

Finally, Jesus said in John 11:25-26,

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.

Let’s pray,

Our Father, we come to you today in sadness but also in the confident realization that this life is not all there is. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we trust in His promise that those who embrace and believe in Him will live even after they die. Help us today to remember and give thanks for the life of Maggie Jones. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.

[Song]

Maggie was born on February 19, 1939 (which means she would have been 82 yesterday) in LaHarpe the daughter of Clarence Arthur and Marybelle (Glisan) Rathbun Jr. Maggie’s father died when she was only three years old. Following her father’s death, she was raised by her grandparents, Arthur and Myrtle Rathbun on their farm. This farm was always a cherished memory to Maggie. She had a large piece of a log that was from the farm and would like to have a big rock from the farm as her headstone at the cemetery.

Because she was raised by her grandparents, she became an honorary member of the Patterson family. Everyone in the family knew her as Aunt Maggie. She was at all the family dinners and loved to play cards. She also enjoyed being part of the Glen and Shirlene Jones family. She watched the kids play their sports.

Maggie was active in school. She took 3rd place in the country beauty pageant, was the class Secretary, was in the FFA, was a cheerleader and played in the band. I’m told she was a faithful classmate and always enjoyed coming back to class reunions. She graduated from La Harpe High School in 1957.

Maggie married Richard Jones. They later divorced. They had one son, Dennis Jones.

At 45 years old (In 1984) she graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Criminology. In 1994 she earned a Master’s Degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas in Counseling.

Maggie worked for 35 years for the U.S. Government. She began her career working in secretarial positions in 1970 for the Civil Service commission, then for Soil Conservation and the USDA and the statistical reporting service where she was an office assistant. She worked for the DEA starting as an office assistant. After getting her degree in Criminology she continued her work at the DEA in Salt Lake City. She had Temporary Duty in Bogota, Columbia for a short time in 1984. In 1991 she was moved to an intelligence analyst which involved analyzing data on illicit drug trafficking. She worked as an analyst in Milan, Italy from 1991 until 2000. She loved Italy. In 2000 she came back to the USA and continued her work in El Paso TX and then was transferred to Des Moines IA. On August 5, 2005 she retired, returning home to La Harpe after moving 23 times.

After retiring, she loved to take Bus Tours. She was fascinated by local cultures and sights. Somewhere in her travels she also went to Ireland. Maggie liked to stay up late. That got her in trouble on one tour to Branson because she and her friend were in their hotel room watching TV late at night. Since neither of them could hear very well the TV was blaring and caused some of the other guests to complain. The manager came up to the room to ask them to turn down their television. But, of course, since they couldn’t hear very well, they didn’t hear him knocking. He ended up having to pound on the door to get their attention (which I’m sure made all the guest even happier!)

Maggie had lots and lots of stories. Because of her job she could relate to and “read” most people. She had a fascination with Israel and the Middle East and how the events in these countries related to the Bible.

Maggie would come by my office to visit frequently. We always had intense discussion. She came in one day and sat down in my office and we talked about the Bible and all kinds of other things. After what was at least 45 minutes she said she had to go. She left and then she came back in to report she had forgotten that she left her car running!

I loved the way Maggie could tell stories about herself. She attended some small group meetings we had that included dinner. During the meeting you were asked to share about yourself. Maggie told a story about the time she was in her accessible bathtub (the kind with the little door on the side). After her bath or shower the water would not drain. Maggie could not step over the side and couldn’t open the door. She went into great and hilarious detail on how she (of course naked) tried to get out of the tub without flooding her home or falling on her face. When Maggie attended those home meetings, they lasted a lot longer, but everyone had a great time.

She was a woman who loved learning, she loved food, and she loved her family. She was generous in supporting the various organizations in town. She was so grateful to Monalisa and Tim for all their help. She was grateful for the times Joni helped her out also. Anywhere Maggie went in town she ended up visiting with people.

Maggie took lots of pictures and loved her dogs and cats. When she told me she was getting her Labs I questioned the wisdom (at her age and physical condition) but she loved her dogs and I learned early on you were not going to change her mind! She kept the two dogs in the breezeway where she had a heater for the dogs when it was cold and a fan in the summer. She also left the radio on because she felt it kept the dogs calm. (There is some question as to who was training whom.) her three cats had the run of the house.

She collected shells from everywhere she traveled. She loved playing Canasta, “Sets and Runs”, and “Golf” with the Graves family. She taught everyone how to play the Golf card game.

Maggie was a big fan of Elvis and of the local Elvis impersonator Junior Talley. If he was performing in the area . . . Maggie was there. She was thrilled the time Junior gave her a scarf and sang a song to her. Maggie was starstruck that “Elvis” sang just to her!

Maggie was independent and stubborn. She wore a Life Alert Button but would never push it . . . even the time she fell into a ditch and was finally helped up by a passing car. She did what she wanted to do! Being dependent ran counter to her whole life. These last months of nursing homes, hospitals and home care was hard . . . especially because of the circumstances that limited visits. It is a tragedy that this woman who so loved people couldn’t die surrounded by those she loved.

Maggie loved learning about the Bible. She attended Bible Study at a number of different churches. She didn’t care what church she was in . . . she just wanted to know the Bible better. She made sure she had print copies of all my sermons. I am sure her knowledge of the Bible sustained her in the days of frustration and isolation.

Maggie Jones was a woman who was free in her compliments and praise for those who did a good job. She was wonderfully supportive when I went through my divorce and she adored my new wife. She was so happy that I found love again. Maggie enriched and brightened our lives. She was a smart and faith-filled woman and we will all miss her.

Maggie Jones loved life, she loved people, she could laugh at herself, she made every encounter interesting and she loved the Lord. She was someone we will all remember.

SONG

When you read a great book there is a measure of sadness that comes as you reach the last page. The story is over. Companions you have enjoyed are left behind. However, if the book you are reading is a part of a series of books it is a different story. In that case when you finish one book you eagerly look forward to the next installment.

Today we finish a “book.” But it is just volume one of a story that goes on forever. I think Maggie understood this. She was not eager to die and she fought hard to stay alive. However, it was one thing after another. I know she was tired.

Our task today is to try to comprehend that death for the one who has put their faith in Christ is not the end; it is a beginning. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in me, will live . . . even though He die.” (John 11).

This is not just pie in the sky sentimentality. What Jesus promised is underscored by His own resurrection. Jesus was dead for three days and then came back to vibrant life and said, “This is not the end.” This isn’t some philosophy or theory of what happens after we die . . . it is an eyewitness testimony!

It is important to hear carefully what Jesus said. He does not say that everyone goes to Heaven (as is popularly believed). He said those who believe in (put their trust in) Him will live even though we die.

We are reminded that we can never earn Heaven. Even the finest of people cannot earn Heaven. I believe Maggie knew that (she certainly heard it plenty from me). God’s standard is perfection and we missed that a long, long time ago. When we ignore God’s commands, when we honor people or things more than we do Him, when we strike out in selfishness . . . we sin. “ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” We need someone to rescue us. That someone is Jesus.

The Bible declares that those who put their hope and confidence in what Christ has done rather than what we have done; those who surrender to His leadership in their lives; will be viewed as pure and holy. Their sin will be forgiven and expunged from the record. As a result, they will live even though they die. They will walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death.

Death for the believer is not the end of life . . . it is the end of the journey TO life. Think about it - when Maggie died, she stepped out of this world into Heaven. Try to imagine what it would be like to step out of a broken and decaying body and suddenly be greeted by the open arms of Jesus!

At that moment, all of life reached its climax. And though in light of God’s greatness we see our unworthiness with greater clarity than ever, we will also appreciate, love and melt under God’s incredible love and His grace. Life will be complete. The long journey is over and the destination has been reached. What a moment! If you think Maggie liked Italy, I can’t imagine how excited she is to be with Jesus.

Could anything be better than hearing the Lord Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”? To be someone who has lived her life trying to do what was right then to hear these words . . . what incredible joy Maggie must know.

Maggie loved this saying,

When the heart beats no more, the body dies and goes alone to the grave. But the life that is within does not die. Life enters that vast, invisible world of time and space. Most contented with life are those on earth who believe . . .

That God created life as well as time and space, each as a measure for the other, all without limit and without end.

We have no reason to grieve FOR Maggie. There is nothing about her situation to feel sorry about. We grieve for OUR loss. It is more about us than about her. It is natural, it is appropriate, and you cannot truly love someone and not grieve when they are no longer with you . . . but remember the grief is about OUR loss, not hers. Maggie Jones has lost nothing and gained everything.

So grieve, shed your tears, acknowledge your loss, but do not be without hope. Dare to imagine the glory, the beauty, the blessing that Maggie now knows and put her gratefully in God’s hands.

As we conclude let me list 10 of the many lessons Maggie taught us.

· You are never too old to learn something new.

· You only have one life on earth to live . . . you might as well enjoy it!

· It keeps you humble (and enjoyable, and sane) if you can laugh at yourself.

· Family, biological and otherwise, are the most important people in the world.

· If you don’t train you pets, they will train you.

· Good friends are hard to come by, when you have one, appreciate them; when you have several, like Maggie did, thank God!

· For some people, Elvis is not really dead until they say he is dead.

· Sincere laughter enriches all who hear it.

· If you have a life alert button and need help . . . push the button!

· If you spend your life learning and growing in the Lord, at the end of your life, He will there with you, even if no one else is allowed to be.

[Song]

Father, we are so grateful that you allowed our lives to cross paths with Maggie. Thank you for her spirit, her example, and her faithfulness. We ask you now to welcome her into the Kingdom you have prepared for her. We also ask that you help us as we cherish our memories and learn from her life. Lead us to faith and to new life in Christ. Help us to so live with you that one day we will get to see Maggie again and be able to spend all of eternity telling stories of your grace in our lives. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.