Lois Cavin Funeral

Songs: Jason Hazard “I’ll Fly Away” & “No Tears In Heaven”

Opening Prayer: Paul Moses

Obituary Reading: Jim Furman

Introduction

Sister Lois Cavin was a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother, a friend, and so much more to so many people. The sheer number of people here today demonstrates that very reality.

As you all know she was a good friend to have.

As her family and friends we could tell funny stories of how Lois made us laugh and kept our countenance high.

Whether it was her OSU orange lipstick & nail polis, or her contagious laugh she was great to be around.

One Sunday evening we were coming back from the prison and Lois asked me if I wanted the score to the Dallas Cowboys game. Now, I’ve never been one to watch games live since the invention of the DVR and so I politely told Lois, “no I’m good, I’ve got it recording at home.”

She said ok, and then preceded to “whisper” the score to Betty in the back so loud everyone could hear it.

I must admit, at first I was a little annoyed, but when Betty pointed out everyone heard her, she laughed so hard we all started laughing, and of course I couldn’t be mad at her.

After that I quickly learned to watch all OSU games live because she was going to call and cheer them on with each good play they had.

I have missed my OSU buddy’s phone calls greatly.

Even though Lois is a daughter, sister, mother, and all the other things mentioned earlier…

Most importantly, as anyone who met Lois quickly realized, she was a child of the most high God, a Christian.

Sister Cavin exemplified what it means to be “Christ-Like” in her life and each one here who knew her could tell “more than one” story of how she lived that life with you.

Having moved here to Ramona, I hadn’t been here for a week when one day Lois drove up in the drive way and said I need you to come with me. She didn’t give me any more information than that, just “come with me.”

Not knowing what was going on, I said ok, and off we went.

She took me to three different homes that day and each time we pulled in the drive way she would introduce me to the family and then say, “This is Landon & we have something for you.”

For one family it was food and drink.

For another family it was some clothing she heard they needed.

For another family it was food and clothing.

A couple of months later, after I received my volunteer prison badge, we headed off to Dick Conner’s Correctional Facility.

I knew the church, here in Ramona, had been involved with the prison ministry for a time but was sure how long.

As we got there, and it was much different then than now, I heard someone talking to Lois & Betty Parrett and they asked how long they had been doing this.

Their response, at that time, was about 30 years.

When it comes to Lois’ walk with God I could go on and on whether it be her 50 years of teaching bible class to kids or the thousands of miles she drove others around to places they needed to be, or simply her showing up to visit those she thought needed it.

When I think of my sister in the faith Lois, there’s a particular passage that comes to mind from the book of Matthew.

Jesus in describing the “noticeable difference” between the sheep and goats or “the Master’s followers” and Satan’s” said this in Matthew 25:31-40…now as I read this remember what I just mentioned concerning Lois.

Matthew 25:31–40 ESV

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Lois Cavin lived the life of saint, one set apart for the glory of God (Ephesians 2:10).

Today, I want to share just a few thoughts that Lois would want everyone to know so that we too can see here again one day.

The first thing she would want all us to remember is that…

Life Is Short

We know this but it’s easy to forget.

Lois lived to be in her 90’s, though she would never let anyone know how old she was, and yet even in that length of time, as all of us feel this day, it was too short of a time for us that wanted more time with her.

It’s time like this, these funerals for our loved ones, that we remember that this life is but a mist that is here for a moment and gone the next (James 4:14).

Or as the Psalmist says in Psalm 39:5…

Psalm 39:5 ESV

5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

Summary

It’s important that we remember how fleeting life is and acknowledge the uncertainty of the length of our days.

This life is short and therefore we should make the best of it, which brings me to another point that Lois would want us to all remember.

Eternity Is Forever

This World Is Not Our Home.

As the old hymn goes, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through, My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the azure blue...”

As Lois knew in this life and now in the next this world is simply the stage that prepares us for eternity.

The great apostle Paul comforted the Thessalonians in his first letter to them when he wrote in chapter 4 and verse 13…

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

As our dear sister Lois understood in this life, this life is where we get ready for “forever” in the afterlife.

And as such there is no greater comfort during these difficult times than knowing our loved one lived a life seeking “eternity with her God.”

Summary

I’m reminded of this truth and comforted by David’s reaction to the death of his son now, when he basically said in 2 Samuel 12:23, “Why should I grieve now that he is dead, I can’t bring him back, but I can go to him.”

To the family and friends here today, let me comfort you with those words…

No, we cannot bring our dear loved one, Lois, back, but we can one day be with her again & not for a short time like here on earth but for an eternity.

Conclusion

This life is not the end, it is only the beginning.

This life, “we are simply passing through.”

Let each one here take, from the life of Lois lived, that great joy that comes from living for the Most High.

The life that “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” will never be without love in this life or the next.

Will you bow with me please.

Dear heavenly Father, as we look for comfort during this challenging time, I pray that everyone here will seek you out and find comfort in you and your holy word. I pray that you will place your hand of comfort upon the family and friends of Lois. Father, as we all go throughout the rest of this day and our life, I pray we have a recollection of all the good times with Lois but most importantly we remember her dedication to you and living the truly “Christ-like” life. Let her example be ever present in our walk with you as we strive to live for you Father, and I plead, that you give each of us the strength and wisdom that we need to one day see your faithful saint again. We are so grateful for your son’s sacrifice, that makes our hope of seeing you, the son, the spirit, and sister Lois once again. It’s in his precious name we pray, amen.

I would like to thank, on behalf of the family, everyone that came today to comfort the family and remember Lois.

The family would like to say special “thank you” to Ann Leatherman for being by Lois’ side & taking care of her these last few years.

At this time Jason will lead us in one of Lois’ favorite hymns, “Oh How I Love Jesus,” followed by Gerald Ashmore leading the closing prayer.