In Loving Memory...
Debbie Whelan
April 1, 1953 - April 3, 2003
Devoted wife, mother, friend, and teacher
We will never forget...
                       We love you!!
The Dash....
"I will always remember looking at her Bible in Sunday school and seeing how full of notes and paper it was and thinking 'Wow!  What a woman of God's word she is.'  She was a true role model.  I will miss her very much."
                              ~ Sara O'Dell
by  Linda Ellis
I read of a reverend who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
"Mrs. Debbie was an awesome woman who chose to give her time to others including myself."
 
  ~Brian Buffington
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
"Kind, caring, compassionate, dedicated, always smiling, a woman of God .  Only a few words to describe the type of person Mrs. Debbie was.  She was a role model for so many of us.  A strong Christian woman dedicated to living for God, and reaching out to those around her.  She cared very deeply for her family and all of her students.  Although we will miss her, as believers we have the assurance of one day being reunited with her in heaven.  I am sure when our time comes, she will be waiting at the gates for each of us and will welcome us with open arms, just as she did so often here on earth."
                    ~ Jess Stokes
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
"Mrs. Debbie was truly a servant of God.  As my Sunday school teacher, she was always excited about God's word and she really challenged me to learn more.  My most recent memory of her was at the S'more Jesus Campout that our Sunday school had a couple of weeks before she died.  I forgot my sleeping bag and we were supposed to sleep on the ground.  Mrs. Debbie brought an air mattress for her to sleep on and she let me and Lauren sleep on it while she slept in the car.  What an AWESOME servant!  She would do anything that was needed and she was always ready to reach out to help me.  I had the opportunity to cook breakfast with her the next morning!  We laughed and talked about everything as we scrambled eggs together.  That memory will always be with me.  Through Mrs. Debbie's death, God has taught me so much.  He has challenged me to not let precious moments pass by.  I need to constantly tell people how much I love them, because I have no idea how much longer they will be here.  I hope that I can live my life as Mrs. Debbie did.  Her sweet spirit and her servant heart will never be forgotten! I can't wait until I can give her a BIG hug again!! I know that she is in heaven cheering all of us on!! I Love ya Mrs. Deb!!"

                                           ~Lauren Middleton
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
More Comments...
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
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