Evelyn

My friend Evelyn passed away today. She had been ill for a very long time. I know that she can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". After such a long battle, she is now sleeping in Jesus waiting for his second coming and resurrection.

Although it is hard to lose a friend, I am comforted by the words found in I Thessalonians 4: 13-18, "I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words".

For quite awhile, Evelyn has been in a local nursing home.  When I would visit her, she would always introduce me to anyone who might be there by saying, "this is Richard, he was the best man at my wedding". When Evelyn married my friend, Carney Williams, in 2005; Carney asked me to be his best man.  I was honored to be a part of the special occasion.  I was so happy the two people who were so sweet and loving were able to find each other.  Both of them had experienced sadness, and it was great to see them able to be happy again.

I was so glad that I was able to see Evelyn in the nursing home last week.  I had spent several weeks running a fever while fighting a serious virus so I hadn't been by to see her.  When I stopped by to see her I found out that she had been in the hospital the previous weekend, but she was doing better.  She looked better than I had seen her for some time.  I was surprised when I found out yesterday that she was back in the hospital. When we went to see her, she wasn't aware that we were there.  I'm thankful that Evelyn is no longer suffering and is now resting peacefully asleep in Jesus.  I'm looking forward to a time when I will see Evelyn again, a time when God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Evelyn's obituary:

Evelyn Williams

BORN: January 9, 1923
DIED: March 3, 2013
LOCATION: Mena, Arkansas

 Evelyn Williams, 90, of Mena, beloved wife of Carnie B. Williams, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2013.

She is survived by her husband, children Sondra Nation of Cherry Hill, Ron Watson and wife Tracy of Corsicana, Texas, Ric Watson and wife Dana of Mayfield, Kentucky, step-daughters Marie Booth and husband John of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Caroline Cheek of Mansfield, Texas, granddaughter Patty Jackson of Cherry Hill, 14 other grandchildren spread across the country and abroad, 24 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and their extended families. She was preceded in death by son James Reid and daughter Jackie Nation.

 She was born Evelyn Louise Vaughan in Hugo, Oklahoma, and grew up in Paris, Texas. A long-time resident of Dallas, she moved to Mena after being widowed. She found love again when she met Carnie Williams. They have been devoted to each other, could be seen always holding hands, and had words of kindness for everyone they met. Carnie will miss her greatly. We all will miss the smile of this lovely little lady – our mother, grandmother and friend. 

She was a member of the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Memorial services will be Sunday, March 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Daniel Kaffenberger officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.