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
4 Comments:
Beth was very instrumental to many of us in Chesterfield -- students, educators, community members. I met Beth early in my career and she was always supportive of me. When I saw her last, she congratulated me for achieving National Board -- she mentioned that she'd been proud of me because she'd watched me throughout the 13 years of my career and all of the achievements I'd conquered. We hugged. Today, I drove in my car with the community observer article beside me. My four-year old said, "mom let me see that paper." At first I said no. She said, "mom I need to say that lady." I showed her the paper and she said, "she looks nice. She reminds me of my grand (my mother)." I said, "Oh really." She said, "mom-does she like you." I said, "she did like me and she was very nice to me." My daughter said, "I want to go to her house." I said, "She's not at her house. She was very sick." My daughter said, "I want to send her a card." I told her, "Honey she's not sick anymore. God healed her and she's living with him now." My daughter said, "Oh. I can feel her in my heart." She smiled a beautiful smile - she touched her heart and said, "I feel her in my heart." What was surprising to me is that I can't remember my daughter ever asking to see the newspaper or asking me about people on the newspaper. I thought you'd want to know that her spirit is still touching children and warming their hearts. I'm praying for your family -- God bless each of you. Thanks so much for sharing Beth with all of us! Fondly, Lisa
Dear Jim, Matt, Doverly, Micah, Jonah, Pete, Sarah, & Kyla,
Beth truly was a wonderful lady and we feel privileged to have known her. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and strength in the days ahead. We love all of you!!
Linda & Louie Love
to mrs. davis's family,
i regret that i was not able to attend the memorial service, but i am glad to hear that there was a huge turn out of people that loved and cared for mrs. davis with all of their heart. may perpetual light shine on her always, and may all of you be blessed all the days of your life. mrs. davis was a wonderful woman that encouraged me to reach for my most impossible dreams and i will always be thankful to her for her support of not only me but to the dedication, love and support she put into her job at ARGSAT. im sure every sure every student, froms ARGS especialy will truly miss her. michelle T.
I had the priviledge of going to high school with Beth. I was a couple of years behind her, but we were involved in some activities together. One of them was a christian camp that we attended together. Beth was always a strong example of christian standards and a wonderful example in school and everywhere else that I saw her.
When my son auditioned to attend the Governors School in Petersburg I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Beth was the assistant administrator there. My son fell in love with her as did the other students who had the priviledge of knowing her.
Whenever I see Beth's face I always see a smile there. I cannot even imagine her without a smile.
I just want to let you, her family and friends, know that she will be missed greatly.
Our prayers continue to be with you as you try to deal with the pain and loss of such a godly woman. Love in Christ
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