Funeral Service for Anna Louise Jester

Common English Bible Chapter 14

14 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

I Don’t Know

I very unfortunately never knew Anna Louise, or I’m told “Louie” as her friends and family called her.

The more I’ve gotten to know Louie’s family and hear their stories, that really seems like a great disappointment for me. She would have been someone I would have wanted to know.

Anna Louise was married to her beloved husband Barry for 55 years.

She worked as a speech and hearing clinician professionally, and traveled to so many schools around the surrounding counties that it could make your head spin just to hear her travel itinerary!

She clearly, CLEARLY left a mark on those she worked with, as many of her students continued to write notes and cards long after she had retired from that work.

I’m told she loved NASCAR and the Steelers, as well as my beloved Penguins.

And I’m also told that she frequently bothered those sitting around her with her collection of big hats.

Barry and Anna Louise have actually been to all 48 continental states on MOTORCYCLE!

She was a big Elvis fan, and consequently, the life of the party any time she was in a room.

No, I never got to know Anna Louise, and that’s sad for me for sure.

But I think I can see her legacy here today.

I can see how she poured out love for her husband Barry.

I can see how she poured out love for her siblings, Susan and Nancy and Paul.

I can clearly see how she poured out love for her nieces and nephews, those who joyfully call her Aunt Louie.

I can clearly see how she poured out love for her sons, Brad and Brian, and how she adopted Trisha into that family as well as her very own daughter.

I can clearly see the love she poured out on her grandchildren Kyle, Colby, and Logan.

And in a room this full on a Friday afternoon, I can see how she poured out love in to each person who gathers here today, to celebrate a life incredibly well lived.

So let me tell you about someone I do know.

Personally I think that everyone’s introduction to Jesus should come from these verses in John 14:1 ““Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.” .

Don’t be troubled.

On a sad day like this, don’t be troubled.

When you’re struggling to make sense of the world, don’t be troubled.

The way to allow our hearts to not be troubled is to trust Jesus.

We can trust Jesus in what he’s had to say about us.

That Jesus cherishes each and every soul on this planet.

That Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in the life to come, one of rest and of comfort and of consolation.

That Jesus will in fact lead us to that place, so that our souls can enjoy eternity together with the never ending love of God.

And I have heard that Anna Louise had a deep and abiding love for Jesus.

She had a deep and abiding love for her church at Faith United Presbyterian.

She had a deep and abiding love for the people that gathered there, that loved her and Barry so well.

And through it all, she worshipped with a deep and abiding love the Jesus who has promised us that Anna Louise rests with him this very moment, this very second, this very day.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled.

We will see Anna Louise again, won’t we?

We’ll join her in that heavenly dwelling place that Jesus has gone to prepare, not just for her, but for us as well.

We may have difficulty seeing past all the big hats, but...

We will be together with her in peace at the last.

There’s a stretch of time between here and that glorious reunion that we can look forward to.

In the meantime, I believe that each of us here today have been given three gifts:

Three Gifts:

The Gift of God’s Word

To be sure, this book has been used and abused by many in our culture.

But I am overwhelmed by the words of comfort that exist in this text for us.

That even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have nothing to fear.

That even when we are unsure of what lies ahead, Jesus reminds his timid disciples as well as us that we ought not to allow our hearts to be troubled.

And that when we miss our dear Aunt Louie, in those moments when the pain of loss sting most profoundly, we are reminded that death is swallowed up in victory, and that we will be united once again at the heavenly banquet table.

There is profound comfort in the words of our scriptures.

The Gift of our Memories

I have been wandering around the hall a little bit since I got here.

There are some tremendous memories in this room, aren’t there?

There are memories that will bring a smile to your face.

There are memories that will bring a joyful tear to your eyes.

There are memories that maybe haven’t seen the light of day before.

There are memories that are so deeply and profoundly cherished, words fail to describe them.

I am sure and certain that each of those memories is a gift from God.

Treasure them!

Store them up in your heart.

Write them down if your memory fails you.

Carry those beautiful memories in joy.

And, of course, share them.

The Gift of Each Other

In a few moments, those who knew Anna Louise the best will be sharing their own memories of a life very well lived.

My encouragement for us all today, tomorrow, for as long as we’re drawing breath really, is to share in the gift of everyone gathered in this room today.

My assumption is that Anna Louise touched each and every one of you in a profound and meaningful way.

That’s why you’re here today.

So lean in to each other!

Share your memories together in the car, or perhaps at the luncheon to follow.

Meet folks you’ve never seen before, and see how Anna Louise meant something in their life.

Offer to share your own stories and memories, and be reminded that while her earthly life has come to a close, her life in Christ has really just started.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled friends.

Anna Louise rests comfortably in the arms of the savior this day.

And we will see her again soon.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Amen.