memorial service for granny-

as some of you know, my mother passed away last month. she didn't really have a church home or a pastor that she knew, so finding a place for her funeral service became a little tricky. my mother loved being outdoors and she loved gardening most of all. so it was very important to my family members that we hold her funeral service outside in a garden if possible. the church that my uncle goes to allowed us to have the service in their prayer garden. 

I have spoken at funerals like this, where the person being honored didn't have a pastor. as a speaker I end up speaking about someone that I never knew, and doing my best to communicate the parts of their life that had been communicated to me. I didn't want that for my mom- so I decided to deliver the eulogy myself. I thought that I could do it without any problem- but about a minute into it, I became uncontrollably emotional. 

my mom touched so many people with her life, and so many came out to honor her. many shared the impact that she had on their lives. also- many stepped in to help facilitate the service. my uncle provided cakes, my cousins provided a special video and flowers. my brother took care of the chairs, my grandpa graciously covered many of the costs; deanna made the program. my brother gave a fun and moving tribute, so did her brothers and her nieces- who she loved as her own daughters. 

here are the words that I spoke that day- they are just a fraction of the memories that I have; they are just a fraction of the her qualities that I could have highlighted; they are just a fraction of the words that I could have said. 

On behalf  of my brother, and my extended family, I would like to thank you for being here with us today. my mom loved all of you and would have been delighted to see you and catch up with you. If she were here with us today, she would tell us the names of all of the flowers here, and she would have gone home with a pocket full of clippings.

OBITUARY

Karen Roberta Williams-Walter passed away on September 16, 2019.

She was born on November 19, 1955 and spent her childhood in Gustine, CA with her parents Roger and Bernice Williams, and her siblings Robert and Christine Williams.

Karen had an amazing zeal for life and a sunny disposition that left a mark on all who knew her.

She was quick to celebrate the small and big moments of life and was known for her thoughtful cards and packages.

Karen spent many happy hours in her gardens, finding joy in bringing beauty to a quiet corner.

She was an avid reader and movie watcher and could never resist a good mystery or fantasy story.

During hard times, Karen was sustained by prayer and her faith in Christ.

Karen filled her home – and our lives – with music and color. She will be greatly missed.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her two children, Rob and Josh;

as well as her granddaughter Jane, her siblings Robert and Christine, and her many beloved nieces and nephews.

PERSONAL REMARKS

Before I continue, I want to recognize my brother Josh for his faithful care and support for my mother.

Josh left his home in New York to care for my mom several years ago.

He has taken much time off of work to care for her; and he spent countless hours with her with doctors, and nurses.

I am convinced that without Josh's help, my mother would not have had the quality of life that she enjoyed in her last months.

thank you Josh.

Later on today, we will have the opportunity to share a story about my mom, but let me be the first.

when I was in the 7th grade, I went to Prescott senior elementary here in Modesto.

on February 25, 1988, I had an especially good day.

the PE department at Prescott scheduled a day where the students would wrestle each other, and I pinned an 8th grade boy named Derek, who was an accomplished wrestler.

also on the day, I had asked a girl named Tina if she would date me and she said yes.

I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mom the news.

our house was on a farm on Ladd rd, and the house was about a mile from where the school bus dropped me off;

and I ran all the way home with my backpack on my back.

I told my mom the news and said, "this should be robby walter day!"

my mom dropped everything and decided that february 25th was now robby walter day.

she baked a cake and threw a party. she got me a special present.

and she has sent me a card, and a present and has given me a phone call on every February 25th since 1988.

that's what my mom was like: she loved to celebrate.

she could take an ordinary day and make it a holiday.

she was creative. she put others before herself.

she was a giver. she was thoughtful, and she knew how special it was to receive a gift, and a card, and to be celebrated.

many of you have received her thoughtful cards, gifts and voicemails.

as I have been interacting with her friends and family over the last few weeks, the word that continues to come to the surface is this word light.

she was a bright light of encouragement, and laughter.

she lit up every room that she was in with her laugh and her quirky hair style and clothes.

she was a bright light for all of us, because she genuinely loved all of us.

the bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5, " For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

the tent of the body that my mother's heart lived in has now been destroyed, and now she lives forever in Glory with Christ-

no longer in a perishable tent, but in an immortal house- build not by human hands.

she lives with Christ forever in heaven, and we look forward to that day when we will be reunited with her.

My mother taught me so many things:

she taught me to love music and musicians like elvis presley, aretha franklin, and james taylor.

she taught me to love plants, and gardens and nurseries.

she taught me to love animals.

she taught me the value of a thoughtful letter sent in the mail- and many of us here have recieved her thoughtful notes in the mail.

she taught me to love books and bookstores.

she modeled for me how to be loving and supportive of my own daughter.

she showed me to how to have faith and to love God in even the most difficult times;

and now, for her, her difficult times are now over.

at a service like this, we use words like always and never.

today we will say, Karen always did this, or she never did that-

what are the always' and the nevers in your life?

what always' and nevers' describe you?

these are the things that we will be remembered for.

I'm sure that if you were honest with yourself, there are some good always' and nevers, and there are some that you don't want remembered-

we can choose that course now and today-

we are able to choose how we will be remembered by the things that we always and never do.

and you can choose the way that you live and will be remembered even today.

at this time I'm going to welcome my brother Josh to say a few words: