Mary Lou Edwards 10-15-24

[Music] for [Music] I for [Music] h [Music] for [Music] for [Music] for [Music] h [Music] well good morning and I'm I'm glad to see you on behalf of the family welcome to this celebration of life for Mary Lou Edwards as I called her the queen bee privileged to serve as her pastor for the last five years and u and I'm just privileged to be here family's asked me to open us up in prayer so if you would bow your heads close your with me as we go to our Lord and so God I do thank you so much for time that we have to remember this wonderful dear Saint I thank you for her sharp wit I thank you for the joy that she had in Christ I think Legacy of Lord we do pray that you would bring peace Comfort over the hearts of people Lord God that you are that you are the and that you are father thank you that no one can snatch us out God but even now Mary Lou she is in the streets without any kind of soreness in no type of ache she is set free because of her trust in you and so we thank you Lord that us are also part that may that others would hear the Gospel and be radically transformed by the truth of it thank you for in Jesus that we amen

Still the 11 daughter of Ed World II Navy atrias 191 return teul for another at distri where she served as chch and develop also Mission imp since the 1960 and always Ed jiey HB brother my mom told I'm honed to be I best tr [Music] get my [Music] all that [Music] and [Music] see [Music] we will our [Music] that [Music] all [Music] I am now light on there he didn't miss one word I'm usually doing what he's doing okay he never missed one word I honored to be able to do this today but I'm also reminded that you know I was asked to do this partly is because I've been a church for 50 years plus and there's not too many around

Here that I'm looking out there in the I read a little quote that says part reason for success or being able to do something is just staying in there when everybody else gave up or quit or something High School I played a little back and when I was junior I quit the and I always so that's been part of my legacy just stay right in there you know because you may look back and regret with that being said that wasn't in my notes and I wish I didn't have any notes because I'd rather rambling around if I don't something I'm going to ramble a little too much so here honored and humbled to be at in the Book of Amos chapter 7: says then Amos answered and said to amiah or I am the son of a or I'm not a son of a prophet for I am a herdsman or a fig Sycamore figs but the Lord me from following the flock and said to me go prophesy to My People Israel when John called and asked me if I would do this first of all I was like I said I was humbled and I was honored and unexpected it was Sunday and so I immediately sat and begin to try to figure out what I was going to say and that Scripture I'd been so happened that I had been reading Book of Amos and I flipped my Bible to where I was had left off and it was chapter seven and that's it I'm not I'm not a preacher I'm not a but you know John said you don't you don't have to tell me yes you can tell me no it won't hurt my feet it won't be no big

Deal but I so obedience is a key thing here it was to make sure that the Plan of Salvation was presented to when I started attending this Church in 197 the groundwork had already been laid by Mary Lou and John and many others The Plan of Salvation I was saved and baptized in this church and became a member in July of that same year I had became acquainted with many of what I would call consider the Edwards family at school before coming to church here the family has and will continue to have a huge impact Community many of them were sitting right out here and it's like we were teenag how did we get here it don't long ago now we're grey-headed and all that John and Mary Edwards were plain spoken No Nonsense type but also loving and caring they believed in forgiveness and second chances they also believed in fun and laughter her laugh rang through these Halls children to the Joy group meetings and I'm sure it will Echo memories for years to come John was one of the great deacons of this church when I was ordained a deacon in 1988 he once said you don't want to rule out Common Sense true I agree with that what he meant what he meant though I think really was you know when you when you look at Scripture you look at acts CH chapter 6 and it talk seven guys that was the foundation of the deacon office of Deacon in the New Testament one of their qualifications is wisdom and John and so did Mar l so the New Testament book of 1 Timothy chapter verse 11 says women must likewise not

Mal but temp faithful in all things Mary L all those qualifications no Deacon is ever unless he has a good wife as a partner and here's where I'm going to go off script a little more 1977 southw Baptist sent some years down to be student teachers and one of those young ladies was a girl Porter she's sitting right over here I found out I knew there I knew some of the family was working you know I found out somewhere there that Mary Lou Edwards you know that John and Charlotte Porter ought to get together well I was already working on that you know was working on that wonderful story I can take at lunch if you want to hear the rest of it anyway we were married on o the 15th 1978 do you know what today is October the 15th here's today's our this is and I know to celebrate all right Mary Lou was a dedicated Faithfully taught children in Bible School in many different capacities my Thomas was in Bible drill with her when he was young boy and was Tau Scripture and living it are pound mounts and Mary Lee knew that sat right over there too Mary Lou was a member of Weare committee for many years I was I we care might not be here today children and their families Through The Years Mary were staunch supporters of Southern Baptist work as well as other Mission causes to reach people for Christ around the world First Baptist cam

Long history of missionary support because of the service of mar I expect that Mary Lou always supported charotte and my music Ministries through the years as well as lots of we got some fine sitting out here knows that music is a vital part of worship there again First Baptist Church camton has a history of good worship music Mary Lou was part of that Legacy that if anything good and good leadership was needed he knew that John Marshall the Second Baptist Church of Springfield Missouri was available a few years ago when we need help she told our interim search team which I was a part of you need to get him here so it was the right thing last all and important to me my friend and I look forward if you don't know whether you're going to heaven or all you need to do thank you for perfect now okay Grandma had a lot of that we hope to have over our lives but before we begin one of her I guess best traits was she always knew that she could cry she cried at all graduation at weddings at any ceremony so you can expect us to do the same so let's begin so the first TR is teaching many of you guys know that she had a long however for me and for Sam over there we got introduced with Grandma's preschool something she never let me forget was that I was terrible at nap time but Sam was amazing at sleeping and she told me about this as I a parent long into my adulthood she also tried to teach me a flirt one day there's nothing like learning how to flirt from your she attempted to teach well but I

Would say I maybe had the easier thing instead of learning to flirt from her the next trait adventurous some caraselling in Thailand or whitewater rafting in Colorado shows how adventur she was however came from our the luxury of having Kayla our brother push all through Disney World and Disney World's pretty cute has a lot of she also accidentally ended up writing a we didn't know it was a roller coaster we probably should have read the warning signs about how you shouldn't run problems Grandma another trait she had was she really was the life of the party there so many times where I' would go and spend the night with her and I was ready for bed about like into me till like 11 o'clock the night before my wife several of us cousins stayed the night at Grandma's house and I think we can all remember the qu game especially when she drew the that she needed to wear her outfit backwards started doing that in the living room the next tra is was a guess that's actually you but okay I'm gonna do anyway the next tra she was a go with the flow type of person nothing really phased her for example there was a time where I'm not going to say who may have drove backwards in a roundabout with cars coming have also entered a bike race on a car and but she didn't get upset she just laughed through it all grandma she drinking her coffee we can remember even when we were young her house smelling like coffee also I all of us can say we either watch The Bachelor or a Hallmark movie with Grandma at some point she was also an excellent listener she knew everything about every she always kept up with the you know everything that was going on in my

Life with her oh yep the next trait is Godly is also my Bible drill leader I was in that with Tom she would do meals wheels and I'd help deliver the food and she was always active in the church next is caring I was able to be their Friday night girl Grandpa would night we would always go to Pizza Hut and order the same pan pepperoni and I got to watch whatever I wanted to TV that would let cayb movies at home the pizza it was that they were spending time with me and they truly showed that they about me Grandma's door was always open you could go house at any time not give any notice and she was ready to visit with you and she always was taking the time to talk with you next is intentional grandma was the queen of using new technology she used she used the internet the first Netflix account in the family she was always looking for ways to connect with us with whatever was available she built Rel with each one of us she was able to stay connected she love the talk on FaceTime and with time she really could build those relationships with even her great-grandchildren okay the is loving who are favorite grandkid it was every single one of us she built relationships with us no matter the distance back of us and she made each of us grandkids feel like welcoming to everyone she left a legacy that most of us dreamed to have [Applause] good morning switch my voice into a preacher voice my name is Jacob Pard I am the son of Shel and Pard and apologize that I don't know my rank and the rank of grandchild I should have been counting while they were talking and I was just paying attention and wondering when they

Were going to cry and you two did great so hopefully I can get through this all a common sentiment that I heard just on of her passing and I think I heard at least out of this group I think I heard at least say this it just seemed like she was always going to be and to be honest sorry I thought she was going to start out living some of you there were times when I thought she was probably going to outlive and 95 years it's it's hard to gather to just all those Reflections and process through them in such a quick time did a great job just now but as I've been processing her passing the emotion or the response that I've been working through is just a response of gratitude thankfulness of love that she was a blessing in my own life and I think we would all who remember her who knew her who loved her and who were loved by her I think we can all just say that the Lord blessed us with Mary Lou that I would ever call her Mar L she was Grandma what a blessing of the Lord that she was given to us and I hope that as celebrate our life that we're all grateful that our hearts are genuinely grateful for her my hope is that with the pain of loss of not getting to give her a hug tell her that you love her I hope that there's a gratitude that the time we did have for her was truly a blessing in our life and with thankful Hearts I hope that we can honor memory we've heard some recently just experiences and I think as we remember someone who passed we can remember host of all of the major holidays some of the personal experiences we heard I shared some experience of pushing her for me was pushing her around chair through Silver

Dollar City and I don't know if you've been to Silver Dollar City lately but it is also and there may or may not have been a specific Hill near the entrance where there is a this might be too much detail there's a little Bakery section that as we were City you're going downhill you're descending and I T school yet I'm physical therapist I wasn't fully trained might have made it to check out the Simon rolls a little faster than you should in a wheel and as a PT I remember spending a week with her as a college student needing of shadowing hours and being able to just the daytoday the mundane aspects of life with her for that week and I know some of you cousins got to live in those ways and maybe for longer periods of time but just the joy her and the little things not just at the big gatherings but with the coffee in the morning and the breakfast McDonald's the meals at Chinatown the Dairy Queen Blizzards when we were going from A to point B we might as well go through the drive-thru there the assortment of cookies that of the Molasses variety which she did to enjoy in her last 24 hours and in these experiences sorry let me stay in my notes another memory that I was just reminded of that I forgot because it's been so long but just the memory of when she it was to take a left turn Avenue especially as young kids the with grude of the time we got to spend with her and processing that I hope that we can honor her memory by remembering who she was just in her character that she was consistent that her personality embodied so traits and attributes

And we've heard a few and there's probably going to be some over because of her consistency but I remember her perseverance and her kindness and her love she was she was persing and here in Missouri say she was stubborn and yet I want to remember her being stubborn and all the right way PT I've had the unique physical therapist that is I've had the unique perspective of analyzing and assessing her Mobility over the years the TR of a PT to know that her body failing and that her gate was worsening over the last several years and yet and work with a lot of patients and a lot of people who complain and have make sure you know that they're hurting I don't remember or have a memory of my grandma being a persistent complainer rather she was persevering and any adventur happen even if he slowed down she kept going personal PT I was often amazed that how she was able to continue to walk on those legs for as long as she was because and yet Beyond her physical perseverance just grateful that the Lord the opportunity to know that she faithful to Jesus to the end I think that's perseverance she would want to be remembered by you know how sometimes you have a conversation with someone or a discussion and it doesn't really hit you how meaningful it was until you think later and it was just this last summer and not a couple months ago I had the opportunity at a local church on the verse that James teaches in chapter 4 to draw God and He will draw near to you and more for conversation than necessarily for needing assistance I just asked her what she thought that verse meant to her what does it mean to draw near to God what does it mean draw

Near to you and this a memory that just struck me this morning as I spoke how simple and how direct her answer was how 95 years how simply she didn't need the theology that I was trying to organize into a sermon she simply it's important that we spend time every day and it's important that we know that he is always with us her witness and her testimony were faithful to the end in fact it was just Friday just this where for a moment of confusion and she wasn't breathing great that she asked my mom and I if she had already died and gone to heaven and the immediate response I sure hope not and know if like I don't know that's really what we should be looking forward to but it did tell me that's that's what she was expecting she wasn't just wishfully thinking and she wasn't just going along with the idea Christianity expecting to go she was asking where's John why I know we've got this discussion of the cousin she was also asking where is aush at least of her perseverance comforted to know that persevered in this life and she struggled and she suffered to the end but I'm comforted to know that she is truly near to and he is near to her and she was kind I don't want to argue you here in the front row maybe she was 100% of the time but at least for us grandchildren and us great-grandchildren she was often very kind she was kind to her family to her friends I did not grow up in camton but I can imagine she was kind to many students strangers that was one that was humbly considering she was generous and she was caring and she was thinking of others concerned for the needs of her loved and when I remember her kindness

I'll continue to remember how kind she was to me and finally and just being grateful for who she was and the blessing she was I remember her love probably overlap speakers today and give you one experience of when she was really loving to make this point but I can simply state that was the consistent demeanor that I had when I interacted with her whenever I thought of my grandma I simply thought of someone that I who loved me and I think we can share that feeling thought and I swear Jordan and Kristen not it's but in that ongoing joke that there would be a favorite she honestly had a way of if you got to spend time one way of making all of us feel special she making us all feel loved and I would say even just with those of us here right now and today as we think of gathered together it's it's her love that's reflected in the love that we have for each other and in the love that we had for her that her love was a genuine love I remember my grandma and as I remember her as a blessing in my own life I hope that I can blessing and be a blessing to others I hope that as we remember her we can take the memory of her and the bless we can be a blessing to those around us because I would like to think that's what she would want us to is difficult and it's hard to get up chair when it's hard to walk I think she would want us to keep going I think she would want us to give up I think when we have the opportunity she'd want us to be kind to those around us whether they're those people that you know are complete strangers and I think she would want us to continue to love one another to love each other well and to know that or and to let them know that

You love them that the love that she shared with us would be a love that we can continue just want to say thank you for my grandma you were sucess I'm Julia and I'm not trying to want up anybody but so is silver Vatican true story senior year we went around the Vatican in her wheelchair we did the line because she was in a wheelchair so you've heard a lot about the intentionality this morning and I have about years of memories wrapped up in her and so I'm just going to focus on Sunday morning intentional with me when I was a kid Sunday mornings at Grandma's house you'd up grandpa be in the bathroom with his electric Raz are going you could smell the Old Spice along with the sin of coffee be every for Sunday checking on the food getting herself ready checking on me do you have a slip on do you would have it on correctly she would make time for a mini lecture about why we dress well to honor God in his house there'd be a box of assorted Donuts from the store in the kitchen cinnamon and sugar off limits those are exclusively grandpas powdered sugar hit and Grandma's going to get you so it was chocolate Maybe that's why I like chocolate donuts and then we're in church and I'd lose in the Sunday School space because they'd be off serving and I'd be in my class but I knew where to find them right over there in their spot surrounded by family and I like to watch people worship when I was maybe it's because my dad was a I like to watch people worship and I loved watching

Grandma sing him because she sang so freely and she seemed like she really meant singing like she meant the words in the hyn and maybe I didn't understand the concepts there because I was a kid but grandma really loved Jesus a lot when she sang hymns now Sunday morning when I got older I would come back from North Africa and I tried to spend as much time as I could with her and coming in big cups of coffee Bibles open and we do our Bible studies we might watch a together and then we would sing We like to sing Blessed assurance and I love to tell the story songs like that and grandma in front of me not even in the mid of a big congregation you know to drown out the sound of your own voice but free and I felt free to sing with understanding as an adult now what singing about I could sing freely with her as well and I love those mornings Rich she would share things she was Insight she was getting from God's word it blew my mind that what I was reading in the word and what she was reading in the word were the same but you decades and a lot of wisdom and she was something different something so special and she that with me my favorite favorite Sunday morning memory of all time Sunday morning which happened to be the last time I saw her in person which was last month grandma and I and my dad and mom may at Roma we got to celebrate communion together and we and sing A Hymn sing the doxology together and I looked around that room and I was so just amazed in our family but what makes it my favorite is the fact yearold and one and a halfy old daughter were there too watching taking it all in and as Grandma's saying the doxology she might have also been making faces and smiling at my little girls she would not have done in church with me but my little girls have

Church I just think that's wonderful as we sang together I love to tell the story the last stanza says I love to tell the story for those who know it thirsting to hear it like the and when of Glory I hear a new song to be that old story that I have loved so long how marvelous to consider that when Grandma closed her eyes and left this world on Saturday she opened her eyes she saw and heard the great multitude worshiping singing salvation Belongs To Our God who sits on the throne and then she got to freely face to face with her Creator join in the great chorus I can't can't wait to worship with grandma again one day if you with her whole heart and her whole life we would love to tell you about him about the God who loves you who loved the world so much that he sent his son Jesus to come and live life on Earth he came with authority and power over nature and sin and disease and death he was Cru on a cross and when he was on the cross the sins of the world my sin your sins what separate us from God they were placed on him and then he died and he was put in a tomb for three days but because he's God death couldn't hold him and on the third day he came to life again and he came back he over sin and death forever he's at the right hand of the father in now the Bible tells us that the story of Jesus the Gospel is the power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes it that if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe hearts that God raised him from the dead will be saved we would love to talk to you about today Pastor Cody dad Jacob by anybody in our we would love to talk to you about the story of Jesus and his love and I can't that would bring Grandma more joy today sorry just while I'm getting hooked up here this was from my reading the morning after Grandma passed and this is

From Colossians starting in verse 12 I just thought this described Grandma it says put on then as God's chosen ones holy and beloved compassionate Hearts kindness humility weakness and patience bearing another and if one has played against another forgiving each other and that Lord has forgiven you also you must forgive and above all these things put on love which binds everything together in Perfect Harmony and for us in your hearts to which indeed you were called and be thankful let the word of Christ dwell in you richly teaching and one another in all wisdom Psalms and hymns and spirit with thankfulness Hearts to God and whatever you do in word or deed in the name of giving thanks to through him [Music] you guys will sing this part me blessings [Music] below praise him all [Music] that how high the mountain I could not in desperation I turned to heaven and spoke your name night and through the darkness your Ling kindness tore through the shadow my finished the end is WR Jesus Christ my could imagine so great a mercy what I could father his round God of Ages stand GL to my S and the cross I [Music] spoken the king

[Music] of all [Music] me [Music] your Jes my living home [Music] Hallelujah me fre hallelu has lost upon me where broken Every Chain there salvation in your name Jes Christ my [Music] living yes you are living the morning that's Pro your [Music] body to the roing LI the grave has s CL [Music] came the [Music] morning Pro your very part to of the silence the lion deare the grave has to claim on me Jes J is the [Music] victory hallelujah praise the Lord [Music] is death has lost it g on me you are broken Every Chain this shall in your name Jesus Christ my [Music] living my living yes you are a [Music] home for good

Morning my name is Pastor K Martin I served as a transitional Pastor here several years ago few weeks ago I was supplying Iberia Walt had asked me to come and supply and then shell mother's sick and she has requested you to do her funeral oh said yeah then a few weeks a couple nights ago I get a call from Nancy mother's passed away she wants you to do her funeral now I'm thinking with all these family members I'm thinking okay asked me and I was think was it that I preached it was some that with her and so I asked said Nancy why would your mother me without smiling at all Nancy said because you're short so all of us have a legacy in this church and mine is evident I preach short sermon and to some of you that's pretty exciting right now to be around Mary L long till you fell in love with her time that I was here worship embod of Jesus and so hence sermon this morning short comes from First Peter chapter 3 beginning at verse three and following father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his Mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead inheritance Incorruptible defiled and fadeth away reserved in heaven for you who are C God through faith and salvation ready to be revealed at the last time wherein you greatly Rejoice though now and if need be you are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the trial of your faith much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire found to praise and honor and Glory at the appearing of Jesus

Christ not you love in whom though now you see him not yet believing yet re joy unspeakable and full of you pray with me please father God in heaven oh Father for Mary for her for her Legacy father the fact that she knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that she knew the joy of serving Jesus you would bless your work this morning allow me to be your servant for a few moments I pray in Jesus precious name amen the joy of kn God in his great plan for mankind after sinned had prepared a Salvation through Jesus Christ and you've already heard the message already through the Grand friends amen the fact that Jesus in his only begotten son Jesus Christ di on the cross he who knew no sin became sin in our place yes other passages throughout the New Testament of Jesus Hebrews says looking un Jesus the author and the F of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross John chapter 3 ni to talk andus you're a teacher you must be born no one goes to heaven without born again you must know Jesus Christ as Savior the fact the Bible ised salvation Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved you know some can I do that Jesus 14 said it very plainly I am the way the truth the life no man cometh to the father but by me so the first truth In this passage the fact that we have the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead his second truth inheritance you know Mary Lewis passed and maybe you're going through her things and what did leave this what did she live but she has an inheritance in heaven we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ all that has is ours our inheritance Peter says is Incorruptible that nobody can touch it

Nobody can do it no lawyer take it away you know not speaking that of lawyers I'm sorry you know just come out sorry an inheritance includes our new bodies a new body Mary Lou is already been mentioned she needs no crutches she's not crippling around she has good knees amen she has a new body in Christ Jesus no more of this pain she has this inheritance and it speaks of heaven heaven oh the Longing To Go to Heaven you know I love what John the Revelator says in John chapter or 20 about I think it's about heaven John says first of all he looked and he saw no more sea no more sea have you ever thought see John was exiled to the aisle of padas he was separated from all of his friends his church members his family by a sea and when John looked I see there's no and he goes on and he says and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes of Joy but many times in her life there was tears of pain there's NOS there shall be no more death no more death death brings us together I know it's like familys but we're separated loved one notice what Paul about in First Corinthians behold I show you mystery we shall all sleep but we shall all be changed in the moment in the TW last Trump for The Incorruptible and we shall be changed for this corruptible must put on and this Mortal must put on immortality so is corruptible in corruption this Mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the same that is written death is swallowed up in Victory death where is thy sting is thy Victory The Sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law but thanks be which give us the through our Lord yes we have an inheritance Mary Lou has an

Inheritance is in heaven Christ tells me to be absent the body is to be in his presence Mary Lou we body that she lived in while she was this Tabernacle but Mary Lou is at home with Jesus Christ neither nor sorrow nor crying neither be any pain Mary Lou the most thing that I heard this morning was her love not her family for church for her Jesus Christ mention the fact that she let Bible drill I too have a daughter Bible drill didn't go through with Mary L but ended up at windir if you remember that you know that drilled for the pastoring a Delta at that time and my daughter because of people like Mar had won state championship for a Bible drill praise be to God for people like who took it upon to make sure kids knew the holy the third truth and it goes at the end of the Scripture that the trial of your faith precious and of gold per with fire may be found under praise and honor Mary had many joys but she also hads today she's with John but think about the separation at the time a grandon at the time what a reunion that will be yet several truths and I do not want to dis Mar Lou but I will leave you with hope comes knowing Jesus Christ why not do not let this day go knowing Jesus Christ who died on the cross for you his blood was shed that your sin could be forgiven do you know the joy of knowing Jesus all right guys let me close us out in some prayer dear God thank you for today thank you for this being a day that we can rejoice and be glad in it as my boy Kenny shared because Miss Mary Lou is with you Jesus but right now that means that she's not with us anymore and we grieve her loss God we mourn that today I pray that we would be present in this moment and feeling that weight of

That separation like he was talking about God one day that won't be a thing anymore for those who are with Jesus and I praise you for that God I thank you that you are the God of Hope and joy and peace and you fill us with that as we believe and trust in you Lord we don't grieve as those who have no hope but we grieve like list is this is a time out a time for us to be away from her for this time being but Lord later on we'll be reconciled again I praise you for that father I pray that you got our conversation as we go ahead and have lunch after we