Funeral: Helen Ragan

Helen Eudeane (Silvius) Ragan, born January 9, 1930, in Turney, MO (north of Lathrop), entered into the presence of her Savior and Lord…and her eternal rest…December 1, 2021, at her home in Kansas City, MO, at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 22 days.

Helen was one of three daughters born to Dean & Katie (Moody) Silvius: her sisters being Mildred Ward and Betty Honn.

She graduated from high school in 1947 and later that year, specifically on October 29, 1947 she married Charles Ragan in Olathe, Kansas. To this establishment of their home, God blessed Helen and Charles with two children: Randy Alan Ragan and Brenda Ann Higgins…and four grand children: Bryan, Betty, Brad, and James Patrick Higgins…and two great grandchildren as well. An added cherished member of Helen’s family was also Audrey, her son Randy’s wife…and her bonus daughter—Audrey’s sister—Cherron Bannon. Both of these ladies were a cherished part of Helen’s life.

Alongside her family, Helen also worked outside the home. The majority of her employment was with American Can Company, where she worked as an Inspectors Assistant…a job from which she retired after 20+ years of service.

Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed many hobbies (or interests). One that I found common interest with her in is yard work—mowing the yard. She has kept on doing it…not letting her son help…not letting her neighbor help—so he went out and bought her a new mower which was easier to start than the traditional pull-start…and she kept right on mowing! She had a heart for stray animals…two cats, which are still in her home, were her cats—they were responsive only to Helen…from everyone else, they’d run and hide. Helen also enjoyed cooking. Her spaghetti and meatballs, Randy says, are the greatest ever…and a family Christmas tradition. Also, her coleslaw was one of the best around—and a regular staple for our church Thanksgiving dinner.

Speaking of church…Thirteen years ago, in 2008, Helen connected her life to the life of our church family, Claycomo Baptist Church. She was an active member, an especially cherished member of our Ruth/Ladies’ Sunday School class, and actively enjoyed being part of our Senior Singles group also. Having trusted Jesus to be her Savior and Lord many years ago, she had also been an active member of Independence Avenue Baptist Church here in the KC area as well.

Now…Helen has been described by her family as…well, let’s just say she new what she wanted (some might call that stubborn!). She was also big on forgiveness…she so often encouraged Cherron to remember the importance of being ready to forgive others. Helen was also helpful and giving. Her mechanic would simply not accept payment for work he did on her vehicle…so, she cooked dinner for the shop! This was a regular habit for her, which was always well received.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents: Dean and Katie; a sister: Mildred; her husband: Charles; a child: Brenda; her daughter-in-law: Audrey; and two grandchildren: Brad and James Patrick. She is survived by a sister: Betty; her son: Randy; two grand kids: Bryan and Brett; two great grand kids; her bonus daughter: Cherron; and numerous church family and friends.

Song: I Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan)

Scripture Reading

Psalm 23:1–6 ESV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Song: You’ll Never Walk Alone

Message

2 Corinthians 5:1–10 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

As we have gathered here today, I have two hopes for you—namely family—to be encouraged and comforted. First, sharing special memories of your relationship with Joan. Keep this up. Don’t ever stop…AND, secondly, to share a lasting foundation for hope from God’s word...

At times like this we might be inclined to ask, “What’s next??” We ask this question—or ones like it—all the time: After the game, ‘Who do we play next?’…After Thanksgiving Dinner, ‘What’s next (or for dessert)?’…After graduation, ‘What’s next?” AND, on and on we go—especially if we are curious…or headstrong…or curiously headstrong (stubborn?)!

God answers that question for us, when we ask about death. His answers, with which Helen is now more certain than ever before…and in a more complete way than we can be right now…but with which—by faith—we can heartily agree…and be comforted as well today. SO…

After death, what’s next?

THE NEXT BODY IS THE BEST

2 Corinthians 5:1 CSB

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.

THE NEXT LIFE IS PERFECT

2 Corinthians 5:2–5 CSB

Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

THE NEXT DWELLING IS WITH THE LORD

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 CSB

So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

THE NEXT STEP IS UNAVOIDABLE

2 Corinthians 5:9–10 CSB

Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

**Are We Ready?**

Song: In the Garden

Prayer

Dismissal of Chapel Service

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GRAVESIDE SERVICE:

Scripture Reading - 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 CSB

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.