My mother passed away on May 22nd. It was my parents’ 61st wedding anniversary. She lived a good life, and one of her long-time friends wrote, “We have many warm memories of Nancy and her generous spirit, compassion, and kindness to others.” She was a good friend and mother.

We are very thankful that we had several months with her and Dad not very long ago. It was great to have meaningful conversations and prayer with her as the Lord was preparing her for the transition from this life to the next. She is now truly free.

I’ve just arrived in the States, traveling from Montenegro. Olga and Valerie will arrive from Russia on Monday. My brother is here as are my sister and her husband; grandchildren and a great-grandchild will also soon arrive. The funeral will be at St. James UMC in Athens, GA on Tuesday at 2pm. Mom’s body will be interred next to her parents and twin daughters (lost soon after birth in the 1960s) in McKenzie, Tennessee on Thursday.

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Therefore encourage each other with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:12-17