On behalf of our sons, Matthew and Peter, their wives, Doverly and Sarah, our grandchildren, Micah, Jonah, Kyla and the little one soon to be born, as well as Beth’s parents, Rudy and Lucy and all the extended family, I write to say thank you.
Thank you for your prayers, your postings to this blog, your calls, your cards, your visits, and your many acts of compassion and caring.
We shared every one of them with her during her hospitalization.
The injury Beth suffered to her lungs due to a toxic reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs was just too extensive for her to survive. As Beth and I tried to come to grips with the extent of her injury and the degree of disability she may have faced I asked her once what concerned her most. Ever the educator, she told me that when she tried to think about her future all she saw was a big, blank white board with nothing written on it. She expressed to me many times that she could feel your prayers, that she was not afraid and that she was at peace with whatever God had planned for her.
Beth was laid to rest Friday in Green Hill cemetery in her home town, Altavista, Virginia. Later that day we celebrated her life during a Memorial Service at Lane Memorial United Methodist Church, also in Altavista, led by our friend and former pastor, Linwood Cook. Linwood offered a beautiful homily describing Beth’s commitment to her family, her church and the Commonwealth. Radford University President Penny Kyle shared stories of Beth’s friendship and of her service to the University community.
On Saturday a tremendous number of friends and family gathered for a second Memorial Service at Beulah United Methodist Church in Chesterfield County. The turnout was so large we had to arrange for a remote video broadcast of the Service to the Fellowship Hall. Special music was provided by Beulah’s Sanctuary Choir, by a vocal ensemble from the Appomattox Regional Governors School and by one of Beulah’s Praise Bands featuring a video presentation of family photos assembled by Matthew. Chesterfield School Board Chairman Marshall Trammell and Superintendent Billy Canaday offered remarks describing Beth’s life of service to the community and her love for children and education. Our friend and current pastor Bob Stamps read a missive from Peter describing his love for his Mom and the mentorship role she had come to play in his new career as a teacher. Bob went on to deliver a comforting homily of hope and resurrection.
We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern that has come in so many forms. We know you will continue to pray for us as we try to regain our footing and begin to resume our routines and responsibilities. We are a family of faith and we are approaching this great loss in that context. We miss Beth but we know that her death has not ended the impact she will continue to have on our lives. She has left us a wonderful legacy and a charge to continue to care for one another.
Well done, good and faithful servant. We will continue on the path you have shown for us to follow.
Jim
