05/27/04 Dear Ones – Today we live with a measure of grief over loss and death as well as a measure of joy for a long-lived life. As many of you may know, Blanche LeMon died yesterday (Wednesday, May 26) in her apartment at the Rosanna Hughes / Westminster Terrace Home. Blanche is a long time faithful member of Beulah Presbyterian Church, involved in her circle, Sunday School, worship – still into her later years wanted to receive the bulletin and tapes of the worship services, regular in her prayers for those on our prayer list – a woman of strong convictions and strong grace. Yesterday morning Blanche did not come down for Breakfast – and she did not miss meals. In fact the last time I visited with her, less than 2 weeks ago now, I was there around 11:30. And when it got close to noon, I mentioned that it was nearly lunch time. Blanche said, “Well I better get going.” She shot up out of her chair – grabbed her walker before I could help get it to her, and was heading out the door. As we walked she said again how she still missed coming to church for worship and Sunday School. So when she did not come down for breakfast, the staff went to her apartment and found her sitting in her chair – where she most always sat, in the left corner of her room. It was there that she died – and from there she was raised to new life before God in the resurrection from the dead. She was blessed with, as she told me that same day – “I’m Forty-nine backwards” – 94 years of life. Blanche is the mother of Betty Ward – another faithful former Beulah member – and former member family with her husband Ed; they moved to Florida a few years ago now. Betty and Ed are now back here in Louisville, attending to arrangements for her Mom. They were shocked to get this phone call, as any of us would be. Though a shock, for Blanche it is also a blessing – Blanche had no pain, and she died peacefully, with all her faculties in tact. Visitation and calling hours will be 3:00 to 7:00 tomorrow (Friday, May 28) at Fern Creek Funeral Home, and the Funeral Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be 10:00 on Saturday, May 29th. I hope to see a number of you there as we thank God for the life and service of Blanche LeMon. Another of our members is dealing with a loss, and this is sadly a much younger person. Jessica Bohannon, one of our youth (now a senior in high school) whose family moved to E-town a few years ago, Jessica’s cousin Ashley Blais died yesterday – 16 years old, a junior in high school. She had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Katie visited with Ashley while she was in the hospital, and stood by Jessica. Ashley did get to attend her Junior Prom, but she told her mom she knew she would not be attending her senior prom. The funeral service for Ashley is tomorrow, May 28, at Bloomfield Baptist Church in Bloomfield, KY at 11:00 a.m. Visitation is today Noon until 9 at Houghlin Funeral Home in Bloomfield. Jessica Bohannon’s address is 10865 Salt River Road, Cecilia, KY 42724. Judy, Jenny, Katie and I are traveling for calling hours this evening. Melanie Magruder tells me that her sister Greta continues to do well – the pathology report was clear – no spread of the cancer. As Melanie puts it: “We all are very, very grateful for God's goodness. . . I would appreciate it if you would keep her on the prayer list, though. This was major, major surgery that she had, and the doctor said it would take from six weeks to three months for her to recover fully. She is home now, and my other sister who is a retired nurse has come to stay with her as long as she is needed. We are so grateful to her for doing that. Willa thinks Greta's recovery is going to take closer to three months than six weeks. The surgery really took a lot out of her, and she has some other health problems, too…” Bob Denney is not feeling well today, and will be to the doctor tomorrow (I hope to visit with him in the afternoon if he is feeling better). Cliff Stout’s voice sounds good and strong, but he is still struggling with his “pain in the foot” infected toe. Deb Sexton did have successful surgery this morning on her hand. They cleared away some scar tissue, and did not have to replace the nerve. Terry visited and prayed with Deb and Steve this morning before surgery, and Steve called around 3:30 to say they were on their way home. Please keep Deb and Steve in your prayers. I would encourage a couple of you to give her a telephone call tomorrow and ask how she is getting along, if they need anything. Steve does have to work tomorrow (Friday). That’s the news for today – Hoping to see you Sunday in Sunday School (at 9:00) and in Worship (at 10:00), I remain, Yours in Christ, Ken H
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