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06/14/08 |
          
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 | Introduction |
| Obituary |
| Tribute |
| Funeral Message |
| Photos |
In March of this year, my Mom attended my graduation ceremony for my Masters degree. On September 2, 2005, at 5:50pm I attended her graduation ceremony and she was given her degree by THE Master. I praise the Lord for His goodness, love, and perfect will.
My Mom ended her battle in this life with cancer and with her graduation, was issued into the presence of her Master and King by two of her favorite angels (well, I don’t know if they were always her favorite, but they were today) (Note: I did not see two angels, ‘just figured that she deserved two). If you would have told me on July 10th, 2005, at her birthday that in less than two months and she would be leaving for heaven, I could not have believed it.
She leaves behind a legacy that I am sure she is receiving accolades for in heaven today. In her “degree of life” she has reared children to know and fear the Lord, she has forgiven people who the world may never forgive, and she has loved with the perfect love of Jesus for over 78 years.
As Mom entered that Celestial City this evening, I am sure that she was greeted by her grandson, Eli, who preceded her in graduation one year on July 1st. From here I am not quite sure what happens in heaven the day of our graduation, but if we have a choice there, I know the first thing my Mom would do is try to see King Jesus. After that I am sure that she would like to fix breakfast for all those who made it there before she did (I wonder if they have biscuits and gravy in heaven?). I am also sure that she wants to see that mansion that Jesus reminded her of before he left earth. I know she wouldn’t want a special mansion but she would love to have room for lots of company to visit.
Louise Cole Williamson, formally of Apache Junction, AZ. took Jesus' hand on Sept. 2, 2005. She will be greatly missed by her daughters and son-in-laws, Harriett Cole Lee and Thomas K. Lee, Trudy Lee Parks and Jon M. Parks, her sons and daughter-in-laws Harry Shelton Cole, Jr. and Monica Gomez Cole and William Eli Cole and Linda Cole, her granddaughters and their husbands Bridget Louise Todd and Taylor Todd, Holly Lee Ann Mozzone and Todd Mozzone, her grandsons Harry Shelton Cole III, Matthew David Cole, Jonah Christopher Cole, her great grandchildren ("her sweethearts") Angelisa, Jared, Amanda, Connor, Brandon, Kanoa and Baby Bill, her sisters Cora Lee Williams and Annier Gardner, her brothers Buddy Smith, Freddie Smith and Frank Smith, plus many nephews, nieces and loving friends.
Ms. Williamson is preceded in death by her grandson Eli William Cole. Services will be held Wednesday, 9/7/5, at 10:00 A.M. at Mountain View Memorial Gardens Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday, 9/6/5, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Arbor Rose Hospice, 6063 E. Arbor Ave, Building B, Mesa, AZ. (480) 654-6580
Published in the East Valley Tribune on 9/4/2005.
The following was read at the funeral during a time of testimonies.
I really feel like Mamaw was living on time she borrowed from God. She
took time that she could have been at Jesus' feet and gave it to each of us.
She is waiting now, preparing a place for each of us, forever the mother,
nurturer and friend, waiting to see what we will do with the time that she
borrowed for us. How will you pay it back? I spent at least enough time with
her, through God's grace to consider this for the rest of my life. What am I
doing to pay back the time that Mamaw borrowed?
I truly believe that Aunt Harriett deserves a portion of that time. Never has love been more perfected and unconditionally displayed than when my Aunt took care of my Mamaw. If nothing else I can start every day to pray for her in her time of need and consider my decisions, respecting what she was able to accomplish by allowing God to use her. Aunt Harriett you are an inspiration, a blessing, a great mother, aunt, daughter, caretaker and friend. You gave us time with her that we never would have had, that is irreplaceable and for that I thank you. -- Jonah Cole, September 2005
Funeral Message - Rev. Harry Shelton Cole Jr.
Funeral Service
Louise Cole Williamson
September 7th, 2005
If you start in my mind
And softly retrace
The steps that she took
With her own awkward grace
Through the doors of my soul
And deep in my heart
You’ll find I have a place
A world apart
It is here that I keep her
Feel her strong embrace
Hear the life in her laugh
See the love in her face
It's there I go
When life's ebb and flow
Seems more than I can bear
She takes my burdens from me
And places them at his feet
On the wings of my whispered prayers
It's is in this place and through her life
That I can finally see
"It came to pass, and so did we
Praise Jesus! My Mamaw's free!!
-------Jonah Cole, 2005
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:12-14
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in
part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith,
hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
There are three things that I know my Mom wants everyone to know. I know this because I talked to her about it before she graduated.
1) HEAVEN’S FOR REAL! As she walks on the streets of gold, led by angels, followed by heavenly hosts singing and praising God, she wants you to know that it is REAL.
John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
2 Corinthian 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him
2) FAITH IN WHAT JESUS DID ON CALVARY IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW #1. Jesus said that he is the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by him. She wants you to know today that knowing Jesus as your Savior and that heaven is for real is sometimes the only comfort this life affords.
(A) All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death – not just the physical death we experience but the Bible describes the second death in which those who sin are separated from God forever in a place prepared for the devil and his angels – hell.
(B) Romans 6:23 does not stop there and I am glad it does not. We are all sinners and deserve the payment for our sin. But it continues with “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me
God provides the gift to the entire world lost in sin – and decision is placed upon mankind to accept this gift. What must you do to accept this gift?
(C) Ask – that’s it – ask. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord, shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Asking God involves
simply praying and confessing – again 3 things –
a. Lord, I am a sinner and cannot save myself
b. I believe that what Jesus did on Calvary is sufficient to save me
c. I accept your free gift of salvation and eternal life
Prayer of Salvation
3) LOVE IS FOREVER!
Hope is only hope until it is fulfilled – When we get to heaven that hope will be fulfilled. Faith is only faith when we cannot see – Again, when we get to heaven, faith will be complete. Love is forever. It has no beginning and it has no end. It started with HIM and HE has no beginning. HE has no ENDING, so love is forever. It is the only thing we take to heaven that will truly continue forever as it was.
Remember me on a cloudy day
When laughter hides and the skies turn grey
Remember my smile and dry your tears
Remember my love and have no fear
Remember I told you I'd never leave?
I haven't left, I live in the breeze
That kisses your cheek on a warm summer's eve
Gives flight to your dreams
speaks your name through the trees
Listen closer now and you'll hear it say
I LOVE YOU
I'VE LOVED YOU
I'LL LOVE YOU ALWAYS.
--Jonah Cole 2005
At the graveside, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Proverbs 3:1-6 -- then the following was rendered
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Jesus the soul and spirit of our Mother, Sister, Mamaw, Aunt, and Friend, Louise and we commit her body to the ground; “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:” Surely we are as the flower.
The Lord is already blessing her, causing his face to shine upon her, and has given her peace unlike she has ever known. We know that upon our death or that great resurrection morning we will reunite with her.
We’ll see you in the morning Mom.
The following are a part of a DVD slide show created with pictures from the last year and a half of her life. The pictures below were all taken in August before her graduation.
This site was last updated 01/19/07
