October 9, 1913 - May 22, 2000
Read that the funeral May 26, 2000
As we look back to who our mother was, each of us will remember something different, but we all remember the sweet and kind person she was. Each of us in the family knows that she was always there, to help and comfort whenever we needed it.
To those who knew Mom she as always kind and sweet, never saying an unkind word about anyone. Those who took care of her these last few months said, "She was a very strong and special lady who is always so sweet."
In Mom's younger years she always enjoyed those who had a good sense of humor and she herself would come up with something funny. She loved riddles and poetry. She wrote a few herself, mostly about the family. One of the family's favorites is call "Our Family" written December of 1989.
Albert Payne and Jennie "Jean"
Our Jeanette Alberta and Shirley Darlene
It is a nice family to me it does seem.
Ronald Gene and Lynnette Cheree
It has a nice sound as you can see.
Virginia Jean and Alan Carl, they fit right in without a snarl.
Tinamarie Jean and Stephanie Renee, that fits too wouldn't you say?
Now Jamie Jean and Joshua Alan
Three sweet little girls and one little man.
Grandpa and Grandmas, Mothers and Fathers
Aunts and Uncles, Nieces and Nephews
Bother and Sister, Sisters and Cousins
All put together we make just one dozen!!
But Whoa! Now what do we hear?
The Stork! Is on his way - he will be here with us next year
"That's grand! - It's just one more," the Baker did say---
"It's (exactly thirteen) that I give when you pay" "A Bakers Dozen!"
The stork brought us Ronald Albert that following spring.
Mom was close to the grandchildren and great grandchildren. The grandchildren Ron and Lynnette would stay every Friday night so they could go to Children's Meeting and would stay until late Saturday morning or later. Mom would have the great granddaughters over one day a week so she could baby sit and get to know them.
On Mom and Dad's Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1984 we gave them a surprise anniversary party. In the book we gave them to record the day we found the following, which we believe our mother would like us to share with all of you as it is her profession and with it we know where our mother is today.
"When Jeanette was about 4 1/2 years old they had Gospel Meetings and Alice Steen asked me if I would like to go. Bart got saved before we were married and I knew if he died he would be in heaven, but if it was me, I'd be in Hell for all Eternity. - Never another hope. -- Well I went to the meeting that night and every nite for 4 nights straight. The 4th nite I took a profession, but only believed with my mind as I had done for years. -- All night long I dreamed the Lord came and He started to take me to heaven, but then I dropped right back down to earth. -- Realizing the next morning I didn't really believe with my heart and the light of the gospel was still darkness to me. I tried hard to really believe, but even though I cried and prayed, I came to the place when I realized I couldn't save myself. -- I was reading my bible in Matthew 11:28-29 -- Come unto Me the Lord Jesus was saying and I will give you rest. --Then it dawned on my soul that when He died on the cross, He paid the price for my redemption and the light of the glorious Gospel dawned upon my soul that He died for ME, and my heart filled with happiness, peace and rest, and I knew I too was saved."
Later in the book she wrote:
"How God could love us so is beyond our understanding, but He did. How we'll praise and adore Him for all Eternity. Now we have a risen Saviour who now sits on the right hand of God. The Lord Jesus who is God Himself. He says in His Father's house are many mansions and He has prepared a place for us."
So as we say good-bye to Mom, we know that she is in our Father's House.
