Mom words cannot express how I miss you, but I dare not be selfish. You shared your wisdom, compassion, and love for 72 years. You raised me up in the way that I should go so that when I grew older I would not depart from what the Word of God. And that has proven to be true in my life. I am so glad that you were able to see the fruit of your labor and know that it was not in vain. You have touched the lives of so many people through your relentless Evangelistic call to Preach the Word in Season and Out of Season, Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort. You did that whether we wanted to hear it or not.LOL You were a great mother, encourager, exhorter, motivator. When I went through dry, tough, dead seasons in my life you always had words of encouragement to lift my spirits and tell me that the trouble that I was experiencing would not last always; that this too shall pass. You were never the one to uphold us in our wrong or to take sides. Your famous words to me were Hush Cheryl or Hush Now (you talk too much)! And the famous lesson to Cathy that she shared with the rest of us was to look as pretty as you can and say as less as possible because if you don't open your mouth people won't know that you are a fool! That will still preach today and I live by it because when I see people that just talk, talk, talk I say to myself that’s a fool.LOL But that is also bible "A Fool is Known by His Many Words". Thanks for teaching me to be wise. You praised us for our accomplishment and encouraged us when we were down or did not achieve. You taught us to dust ourselves off and try again. You taught us to be strong and courageous, to stand on our own feet, to be receptive to all people, and not to be afraid of change, challenge, or hard work. Although you are my mother you taught me to seek counsel not only from you but from my spiritual leader and other authorities; She never proclaimed to know it all but always exercised wisdom. You taught us to respect those that are in authority or position; to be a good follower so now we are good leaders. You also taught us as a leader that if everyone is happy with our decision or we made the popular decision then we are not doing our job as a leader. Because a leader can't be afraid to make right, hard, and unpopular decisions that some people will not like. Decisions’ that will make you not have a lot of friends or associates. She taught us that it is okay to walk alone and friends are few and in between but God will give you those key people during the seasons you need them the most. Because some of us were created to be set apart people for strategic Kingdom work and we can't afford to be distracted or tied down with friendship and kinship. You were a true women of God you lived the life; I saw you grow as a mother and minister of the Gospel. I saw you through every phase from Salvation to Missionary, Evangelist, Elder, Presiding Elder, Outreach President, and Assistant Overseer. Mom you carried me, brought me, and taught me. I could go on and on but I will just say You may be out of my presence but never out of my heart. You fought the good fight of faith and you will receive your crown; your labor was not in vain. I Love You Mom Rest in Peace. Those who are in Christ; to be absent from the body is to be present with God!