Beatrice M Harless
Worlds Greatest Mom
1910-2001
Peace at Last...
She Remains Part of Our Lives...
10/22/01
09/01
Following her stroke in 8/97, Mom made remarkable progress but stabilized after about 6 months. In the Spring of 2000 Mom had a hemmorage in her eye which caused her to the lose the sight of one eye and the sight in her reamining eye is poor. In the Spring of 2001 she got ill and her strength has not returned. In the summer of 2001 her doctor gave her about a year to live as her kidney's are gradually failing and she has declined dialysis. This has resulted in swelling in her legs and feet which has prevented her from taking even short assisted walks thus her muscle tone has declined considerably. Due to her loss of strength she has become a handful to handle which has restricted our ability to get her out and about as much as we once did. Her hearing has also gradually declined and she refusted to wear her hearing aids though we got an amplifier and earphone which she uses. Her ability to speak has declined and she no longer is able to find the words she wants often giving up in frustration. When she does speak often as not it is non-sensical or the exact opposite of what she intended.
Despite all this her spirits remain far better than one would expect. She delights in visits from her great grandchildren and our kitten and she enjoys the letters and cards she still occasionally receives from old friends as well as visits from folks she has met since her hospitalization in CA.
Please continure to keep her in your prayers, drop her a line and/or stop in when you have the opportunity to see her.
10/17/01
During the week of 10/14 Mom fell ill with bronchitus like symptoms. This is very early in the year for these kinds of problems to develop with her [usually they do not manifest themselves until around Jan] and we believe this does not bode well for her health this winter. When Mom is sick, as she is now, she sleeps nearly continually and becomes non communicative. Please keep her in your prayers...
10/22/01
God welcomed Mom home in her 92nd year at 05:15 on Monday, October 22, 2001 giving her "Peace At Last"
As her family who knew her most closely these many years we can honestly say Mom lived the best Christian life of anyone we have ever known. Not once in her life do we know of a single sin she committed - a testament to her unwaverning strong faith and her stalwart character. Everyone who knew her loved her and respected her because she loved them as they were. An example to us all. The world has lost a very bright star, a void not easily filled and heaven has gained a Saint.
A "Celebration of Life" memorial was held at the Yorba Linda Church of Christ on Friday, October 26, 2001 honoring the life of this noble lady who was a bright light in a dark world. She has finished her course; she kept the faith...
10/26/01
Her family would like to express our heart felt thanks for the cards, flowers, and expressions of sympathy and support we have been blessed to receive since her passing. We would also like to express our appreciation to those that visited Mom during her illness and the many that routinely sent her cards, letters, etc to encourage and let her know she was not forgotten. Thank you, we are indebted to each of you.
May God bless everyone of you...
It is our plan to have Mom interred in Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, WV next to Dad. Currently we expect this to occur during the Summer of 2002 when the family is in a position to gather there. We invite her friends and associates to join us in a brief memorial to her at that time. More information on these plans will be forthcoming as they are solidified. Please let us know if you are interested in attending this memorial so that we can keep you informed as our plans develop...
11/28/01
Excerpt From Letter Received From A Friend & Former Colleague Who Worked With Her Many Years
We shall remember Bea's love and fine contributions to the education and well being of many people. We will all miss Bea, but will keep her spirit in our hearts always.
*****
From Another Friend She Had Not Seen In Several Years
Bea was such a beautiful, sweet person. It was an honor to have known her. I still miss her - but I am a better person for having known her.
7/14/02
Mom was laid to rest where she chose next to Dad and my brother in Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, WV. We would like to thank all those that took their time to come out and remember her at her interment ceremony May God bless you all and through God's grace may we all spend eternity together with her in Heaven at the end of our life's journey...
