Funeral Meditation for Marcia Blythe 4/2/99
We gather this afternoon as family and
friends of Marcia Blythe to celebrate her life, to rejoice over her faith and
her eternal blessing. . . and to comfort each other in
this time of loss.
In Proverbs 31 we read this very appropriate tribute.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious
rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She
will not hinder him but help him all her life...She gets up before dawn to
prepare a breakfast for her household . . She is
energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn
late into the night...She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms
to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them
have warm clothes.. . .
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the
future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she
gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and
does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:"There
are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD
will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds
publicly declare her praise."
Today we stand and call Marcia Blythe "blessed".
WILL YOU PRAY with me?
Our Father, we bow before you. Today we affirm that there are things in life
that we don't understand. Marcia's death is one of those things. Today we seek
to rest in your wisdom and your love and trust there is much more to the picture
than what we can see.
Today we ask for your help. Help us to deal with our grief. Help us to draw
strength from each other. Help us to remember. Help us to hope in You.
We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
Marcia Blythe was born January 7, 1926 in
On April 18, 1945 she married the love of her life, Lowell Blythe near
Marcia was a member and past president of the D.A. R. and was currently serving
as chaplain. She served in a number of different capacities while she was a member
of the former
She is survived by her husband,
3 daughters
Linda Comstock of
Donna Jo Lydy of
Julie Jarvis of
and 3 sons
Gary Blythe and
Robert Blythe of LaHarpe
Brian Blythe of
14 Grandchildren
One sister, Dorothy Walker of
One brother Robert Kern of
She was preceded in death by her parents.
We'll speak a great deal about the kind of person Marcia Blythe was . . . but I
give the microphone first to a couple of the grandchildren . . .sometimes simple
words convey the most compelling truth.
ODE TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA
My Gramp and Gram are special as can be
to you I come ever so happily
My visits here are very worth my while
Without you I think I'd become senile!
I realize I don't tell you guys enough,
I love you from the bottom of my heart.
You two have done so very much for me
I know you tend to think so differently
Near or far you've showered me with love
With open arms; peacefulness like a dove.
You two are great, to that no one denies
Anyone who opposes are speaking lies
No amount of words can describe how I feel about you two
My love for you I know will always be true blue.
AMY
Gretchen wrote this piece about her grandparents. You have to understand that
it forms an acrostic that spells Grandparents.
G randparents are great
R really Geat
At their house they bake, bake, bake,
Nothing is bad
Do be glad
Plays with me so I won't be sad
Always good to me
Really, really don't you see
Especially at a party
Never say no,
The used to tickle my toe
So I guess I'm just a lucky Moe!!
Kelly wrote,
My grandparents let me bake,
sometimes even cookies and cake
They help pick me up,
but more so when I'm in a rut
They let me clean the dishes
and make reality of my wishes
They give me all their love,
and let me feel what's up above
For them, I like to do chores
Although I'm not that great at cleaning floors
They let me have sweets
and offer me goodies and other treats
They give me all their care
as if I were a cuddly bear
They are very proud of me,
so can't you see . . .
I have Great Grandparents.
SOLO
Marcia Blythe was an incredible lady. She wasn't flashy, she didn't desire the
public spotlight . . but
everywhere she went she changed people's lives.
Marcia was a talented lady. She was a
fabulous cook, a talented musician, a student of Gem City Business college, a keeper of the farm books, a skilled farm hand, a
wise counselor, an active part of the church, and the finest wife, mother and
grandmother.
Marcia Blythe had a wonderful relationship
with her husband. She met
They worked the farm together, they dressed
turkeys together, they raised their children together, they
served in the church together. But even with six children and busy lives they
still made time to date. They made trips to
At night the two of them would go to bed and
just lay there and talk for an hour or so . . . they just enjoyed each other's
company. They knew what true love meant.
Marcia was a good manager. She had a
seemingly superhuman ability to be able to balance several things at once. She
could cook meals, (remembering everyone's favorite dish), remember who was
involved in what activity throughout the family, manage the farm books, serve
on committees, and still have time to sit and talk with you as if she had
nothing else to do. Marcia had the same hours in a day as everyone else . . .
she just seemed to get more done during those hours.
In the Blythe household there had to be a
lot of cooperation. There was only one bathroom so everyone had to take turns.
And it seems that the only problem had something to do with the carcinogenic
effects of Aqua Net.
Family meals had a simple rule: "Take
what's closest to you . . . and only take one!" Cooperation between the
kids depended on a simple creed: "If you don't tell, I won't tell."
And family discipline often was prefaced with the words, "Wait until your
father gets home!"
Everyone in the family was expected to try to play a musical instrument. And
everyone was expected to pitch in around the house . . . whether it was setting
eggs after Red Skelton on Tuesday night, folding laundry, cleaning up after
dinner, or being a part of the canning production line .
. everyone was involved. Marcia kept is all organized.
Many of the family activity centered around the Disco church. They worshiped there, went to
Sunday School there and had most of their friends
there. When the family moved to the Union Church we were richly blessed.
They had lots of family get-togethers. The
holidays were spent together. They would often be oyster stew and chili with
the family on Sunday evenings. And every fall there was a picnic at the
Marcia was a wonderful cook. She made the
best
When the guys were working in the field she
would send out five course meals to the men. It always included pie and ice
cream (somehow). And when hired men were around at dinner time they were
welcomed as a part of the family.
For Marcia, cooking wasn't a job . . . it was a labor of love.
Marcia Blythe was a caring woman. She was
always willing to take a second position to someone else. If someone wanted an
extra piece of pie, she would give up hers. When they had chicken she would
say, "That's o.k., I wanted the wing anyway."
Marcia sought to give people the benefit of
the doubt. She looked for the best in others and usually saw what others
overlooked. You wouldn't hear Marcia talking negatively about anyone.
She welcomed the people her children grew to
love with open arms. They became a "part of the family." She loved
them. Each Christmas she shopped with as much care for them, as for any of the
other children.
She always stopped what she was doing to ask
her kids about their day (whether little or grown) . .
and continued that practice with her grandchildren.
She was eager to take care of the grandkids for any reason .
. even when they were sick. She was never too busy to
read to one of the kids, or play a game (sometimes over and over), or listen to
a story. She never felt she was wasting time when she was with a member of the
family.
Marcia made the effort to get to all the
kids' activities: sports, music and special days. Even though many of her
grandchildren were a long ways away, she made that effort to be part of those
special times. She'd travel to be with her children and grandchildren at
special times. She was there for the birth of babies, for graduations, for
special birthdays. Holidays were special because they were spent with Grandma
and Grandpa.
She shared in their lives but also let her
children make their own decisions. She would tell them "Do whatever you
think is best" and then would support whatever decision they made . . .
even if she disagreed with you. She didn't answer questions or solve problems
that her children needed to solve on their own. She didn't solve her kids problems, she taught them to solve them.
Marcia was an unselfish woman. Her thoughts
were generally of others. In her time of sickness she always asked about my
father. When you would visit with her she would always be concerned about your
life and what was going on in it.
When the tornado ripped past their house,
Marcia and Brian saw the tornado coming. Marcia's first thought was not for her
own safety . . . it was to notify as many people as she could. And while they
huddled under the pool table in the basement her chief concern was for the rest
of the family. When everything was over, Marcia was not primarily concerned
about the power being out, or the damage that was done.
. . she was concerned that the celebration for
Marcia was a faithful woman. Marcia grew up
in the church. She trusted God and wanted Him to be first in her home. At
Christmas you could count on thoughtful presents but also a birthday cake for
Jesus.
Marcia was a great person to have on a church
board. She was always positive. She was always willing to try something new.
She didn't say a lot, but what she said was worth listening to. She wasn't
interested in wielding power . . .just is lending a
hand.
Marcia dealt with life as it came her way. She
trusted God to do what was right and good. Even as she faced cancer she faced
it head on. She did what needed to be done and when she had done all she could
do, she rested in God's hands.
As we look around today we see her legacy. We see it in her children and
grandchildren. We see it in her church, in her friends.
I think Marcia taught us many things, here's a list of some of the things I can see...
· that though there are many things we can do with our time, we will never go wrong by investing in people
· that we can often do more good by listening than by talking
· that a strong marriage is not an oxymoron
· that laughter lightens the heart
· that the person who doesn't stop to complain can accomplish much more than those who do.
· that family should come first
· that life should be fun
· that life is more fun with cake or cookies
· that the difficult times are best met with a faithful heart
· that death need not be feared
· that a life well lived will be remembered forever.
But we are not here today just to spotlight
the life of a remarkable woman. We are here to proclaim that though Marcia has
died, yet she lives.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
1Now 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. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing
to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 5Now it is God who has made us for
this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what
is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in
the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 9So we
make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from
it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good
or bad.
Many of us, when we heard that Marcia wasn't
doing well, prayed that God would make her better. I know I prayed with
confidence and was sure He was going to restore her to health.
What do we conclude? Did God ignore our
prayers? I guess it depends on what you consider "getting better" to
mean. The Apostle Paul wrote, "for me to live is
Christ and to die is gain." To Paul, death was not defeat,
it was the doorway to the life he was longing for.
The apostle Paul tells us that there is life beyond the grave for everyone who
believes. He says, when the earthly tent we live in (our bodies) is destroyed,
we move to a eternal body that is not fashioned with
human hands (it doesn't have any blemishes or weaknesses.) And as we read
through the Bible we see that this future existence is one free of pain,
frustration, disappointment or sin. It is a place where wrongs are righted and
tears are dried for good.
So, maybe, our prayers WERE answered. God
did make Marcia well . . . He just healed her more than we were ready for.
Marcia Blythe understood that this life was
only the prelude to a life that is to come. This is why Marcia didn't worry
about a lot of things. She believed God was working and trusted Him to do what
is best. Marcia was not afraid of death because she knew that death was
necessary in order to get to Heaven. She knew that her hope of Heaven was not
anchored in her goodness . . . but in the work of Jesus Christ on her behalf.
Marcia wasn't afraid of dying, because she knew there was nothing to be afraid
of. Her spiritual house was in order.
Don't misunderstand. Marcia was not eager to
die. She didn't want to leave her family. There were still things she wanted to
see and do. . . but God had called . . .and she
trusted Him.
I would feel very safe in proclaiming that
Marcia Blythe is in Heaven today. But as I do I hope you realize some things,
First, this is not just psycho-babble
designed to make us feel better in our pain. This weekend we celebrate Easter.
The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our hope. Jesus showed that there
was indeed life beyond the grave. We are not in denial to believe in Heaven . .
. we are expressing confidence in the one who proved life beyond the grave -
Jesus.
Second, Even though Marcia Blythe was an
extraordinary woman . . .we do not believe she is in
Heaven because of her goodness. Even the best of us are not good enough. Marcia
is in Heaven because she placed her faith in Jesus Christ who died in her
place. She is not in Heaven because of what she did . . . but because of what
He did.
Finally, I hope you see that the life that
Marcia enjoys today, is a life that is available to
anyone who will trust Christ. When we consider how prepared Marcia was for
eternity we must all ask ourselves: "are we ready?" Have we
established our relationship with God? Are we trusting
Jesus Christ or are we simply "hoping for the best?
Marcia Blythe taught us a number of things.
And perhaps the greatest lesson was the last one . . . she taught us how to
live and to die, holding the hand of Jesus. As a family, you did well by your
mother. You walked with her in the difficult times. You stood by her. You
walked her to the door of eternity. And when that door opened, waiting for her
was the nail-scared hand of Jesus. And we can truly say,
that though we miss her greatly . . . she is in good hands . . . the best
hands. May the same be said of you.