We Buried Jessie Today

At 93 she’d begun to recede as the Alzheimer’s took over. Just before that happened, though, I got to know her. When I first became her pastor she was only 89 and spry. Genteel falls short in describing this Lady (yes, that’s a capital “L”) and her vivacious bright eyes kept her dim sight a secret.

She was a part of the Sunshine Sunday School Class, a group I like to drop in on from time to time and “flirt” with my “girlfriends.” Jessie was one of them and she was always appreciative for any gesture, saying thanks for the smallest of things that go unnoticed by most of us. I smile every time I remember her in that beautiful green dress that she wore to her 90th birthday party. She looked positively giddy as young girl when she told us that she'd been ready since 8am that morning for a 2pm party.

She wore that green dress again today.

In her eulogy I spoke of her quiet faithfulness. The church cannot function without gifted people like Jessie, who serve behind the scenes, without fanfare or need of public recognition. In my experience as a pastor – only 15 years or so – I have come to appreciate how the simple gift of faithfulness in the life of one individual touches the lives of others in many ways, ways unknown to the rest of the world.

She was no flash in the pan, and that’s a good thing, because I’m convinced that the world doesn’t need any more flashes in the pan, but solid, consistent, faithfulness. It’s a seemingly simple thing, but her presence was an anchor to many, and she was a gift to me, though I only knew her four years.

Receive our sister in Christ Jessie into the arms of your mercy.
Raise Jessie up with all your people at that great gettin' up in the morning!
Receive us also, and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love and serve you in this world that we may enter into your joy in the world to come.
Into your hands, o merciful Savior, we commend your servant Jessie.
Acknowledge her, we humbly beseech You, a sheep of your own fold,a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.

And, God, if you don’t want her, we’ll take her back.

Amen.