Debra's Memorial

Intro

To be honest with you I wasn’t looking forward to this memorial

I’ve done my share of funerals, but only a few of those were for people I was close with

Most of the time I can maintain my pastoral presence, but this time is different

Debra and I worked together for over 10 years

She had become my work buddy and like an older sister

We laughed and fought but we always knew we loved each other and had each other’s back

Her sudden death was shock that I am still processing

I still turn at work to say something to her and realize she isn’t there

We had fun together

I had also seen her health decline over the last couple of years as she dealt with the death of her mother and brother

That’s what gives me such hope

She is no longer in her perishable body

Read 1 Cor 15:53-56 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”55  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Debra is no longer in pain

She is in the presence of her heavenly father

The old body with all of its pain was replaced with a new one and the sorrow and tears are gone

To those of us who are left behind we have our memories

Debra was a

Beloved Sister and Aunt

She loved her family and lived for doing nice things for her nieces and nephews

Church Volunteer

Served for years in our children’s ministry

Employee

Worked as our bookkeeper for 10 years

Friend

She always knew the right thing to do for someone who was struggling

When she entered heaven she heard

“Well done good and faithful servant”

Debra is in heaven because of her relationship with Jesus Christ. The love she showed others was because of the love that Jesus put there