12:00 NOON SATURDAY, MARCH

Transcription

1 Honoring the Life of Edward Jordan 12:00 NOON SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2011 HOLSEY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 515 EAST SUWANEE STREET FITZGERALD, GEORGIA REV. DR. MARVIN J. HOWARD, SR., PASTOR OFFICIATING REV. KEENAN D. HALE, SR., EULOGIST REV. ROBERT L. YARBROUGH, SR., PRESIDING ELDER THE RIGHT REVEREND KENNETH W. CARTER, PRESIDING PRELATE

2 In Tribute to the Life 2 My precious husband, you may be physically gone, but you will live forever in my heart. I have spent most of my life with you and still it just wasn t enough. I remember when we met as if it was yesterday. I knew that I loved you passionately, but it was very hard for me to accept that you loved me the same way. We had some very hard roads to travel and could not have imagined just how hard it would be. We faced life together and the hardships only brought us closer, clinging to each other like there was no one else in the world. We both gave up for each other. You have been my Hero and my inspiration. Even after the trauma of Vietnam, you recovered, stood strong and proud. Thank you for showing me that nothing can overtake you if you just keep on, keeping on. Thank you my darling husband for all of the precious memories. And thank you for loving me and being my husband. You are not gone as you still live in my heart, my mind, and you always will. I would have loved a few more years with you. But as I said, you will live in my heart and mind forever. Rest assured that you have been a good father and a good husband. I will someday, be with you and I can hardly wait for that time to come. I love you now and forever. From Bertha Mae

3 As we ponder the love that we saw in your eyes, A Godly love, given without compromise. We recall many times that you stood by our side, And prodded us on with great vigor and pride. Your voice ever confident, firm and yet fair, Always speaking with patience, tenderness and care. The power and might of your hands was so sure, We knew there was nothing we couldn t endure. It s true, a few others provided insight, Yet, you laid the foundation that kept us upright. You re the grandest of men to have lived on this earth, Although you re not royal by stature or birth. You re a man of great dignity, honor and strength. Your merits are noble, and of admirable length. You re far greater than all other men that we know, You re our Daddy, our mentor, our friend and hero. In Tribute to the Life From Patricia & Charles 3

4 In Reflection of the Life 4 Nwa ora child of the community Edward Jordan was born into Life August 12, 1950 to a family that included 13 brothers and sisters. He was raised in an e x te nd e d fam il y and a community village with leaders such as Hall, Street, Goseer, McGill, Gibson, Pettigrew, Walker, etc. He attended Fitzgerald Public Schools and later graduated from the Kilmer Job Corps Center in Edison, New Jersey with a specialization in electrical construction. While at Kilmer, he received a Certificate of Merit in recognition of his academic achievement. He enlisted in the military completing his training at the U.S. Army Infantry Center in Fort Benning, Georgia. Edward s tour of duty included Japan, Vietnam, and Korea while he served during the Vietnam War. He returned to Fitzgerald and sought to build a life and family with his wife, Bertha Mae Coney. Edward began working at Mack s Produce. While there, he forged a relationship with Dean and Polly McSwain that went well beyond business and became family. Making deliveries was a highlight for him and gave him a chance to befriend everyone in Fitzgerald and the surrounding communities. He enjoyed stopping by and making the customer s day a bit brighter. Ora na azu nwa it takes the community and village to raise a child Edward and Bertha welcomed with great joy the grandboys Shaun Edward (his namesake) and Kalen Ryan. In fact, Grandma and Grandpa found new lives helping to mold and shape these two young men. Whether D.C., Denver, Detroit, Florida, Maine, New York, or North Carolina, Edward loved to travel and was always ready to go with the family. He was a primary resource during Patricia s military moves or Charles s corporate relocations. Life took its toil on Edward, but he maintained a chipper personality and upbeat disposition. When diagnosed with stage IV cancer and given a few months to live, he replied,

5 In Reflection of the Life well, it s in God s hands now and I trust Him. A few months turned into almost two years and despite weekly and finally daily oncology visits, he continued to bring sunshine into the lives of everyone he met. The girls at Colony Discount Drugs engaged the community in a Lemons to Lemonade campaign in his honor. The sign, Please Pray for Edward is still in the store window. On Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011, God dispatched an angel of mercy to whisper the good news to Edward that it was time to lay his burdens down. He was born into Eternity. We remember the care during his transition by Dr. Thomas Mann, Dr. Apurva Shah, Blue & Gray Hospice, Tift Regional Oncology Center, Colony Discount Drugs, and relative Johnelia Jordan Graham. We also remember WMOC 88.7 FM radio which became a constant during his final days. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Jordan Carver Presley; and siblings, Jesse Carver, Jr.; Fred Carver, Sr.; Johnny Clyde Presley; Herman Presley; Mozell Presley Hamilton; Johnny Lee Presley; Henry Lee Presley; Nathaniel Presley; Joe Louis Presley; Bobby Presley; and Novella Springs Clarke. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Bertha Mae and two children Charles of Fitzgerald and Patricia Ann (David) of Brunswick, Maine; two grandsons, Shaun Edward & Kalen Ryan, both of Buford, Georgia; an aunt and second-mother Edwina Jordan and mother-in-law Alberta Thrower Coney, both of Fitzgerald; siblings, Evonne Glover of Douglas, Valdoria Presley Anderson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harold and Larry Presley both of Douglas, Georgia; special friend, Willie Doctor; and a host of sorrowing family members and friends. I see victory, Oh, sweet victory. 5

6 In Celebration of the Life 6 REV. DR. MARVIN J. HOWARD, SR., OFFICIATING THE PRELUDE... MS. JACQUELINE MINNIFIELD THE PROCESSIONAL... THE CONEY-JORDAN FAMILY THE HYMN OF PRAISE... HYMN # 10 Oh How I Love Jesus / Whitfield There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest Name on earth. It tells me of a Savior s love, who died to set me free; it tells me of His precious blood, the sinner s perfect plea. It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe; who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below. Refrain: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because He first loved me! THE INVOCATION & PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY... REV. CARLTON MAHONE, SR. THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE... REV. BETTY WALKER-LANIER Psalms 139:1-10 (NIV) You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

7 In Celebration of the Life THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE... REV. STEVEN R. O NEAL Revelation 21:1 7 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then He said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. THE GOSPEL READING... REV. CARLTON MAHONE, SR. Matthew 5:1 16 (NIV) Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 7

8 In Celebration of the Life Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. THE SELECTION... THE METHODIST FELLOWSHIP CHOIR THE REMARKS... MRS. PAULINE COLLIER, CHILDHOOD FRIEND MR. ISSAC BONEY, FRIEND & FELLOW SOLDIER MR. DEAN MCSWAIN, MACK S PRODUCE ELDER RONALD & MRS. JOAN THOMAS, BROTHER & SISTER IN CHRIST MR. JIM TURNER, HOLSEY CHAPEL CHURCH THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... MS. JOYCE JENKINS THE FAMILY TRIBUTE... MR. CHARLES L. CONEY THE SELECTION... MRS. DEBORAH SNIPES So Many Times / Snipes THE EULOGY... REV. KEENAN D. HALE, SR. THE RECESSIONAL... THE CONEY-JORDAN FAMILY I Won t Let You Fall / Miller 8 PLEASE STAND

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10 In Thanksgiving for the Life 10 So many times, the Lord made a way for me; So many times, the Lord made a way for me. He picked me up, oh yes He did, And turned me around; He placed my feet, on solid ground. Then I was sick, oh Jesus And thought I wouldn't get well You healed this old body, my Lord And now I can tell. Now, sometimes I was up, oh yes I was, And sometimes I was down; Lord, seemed like I was level, level to the ground. Now when I was lost, Jesus And couldn t find my way You stepped right in, And showed me the way. Lord I thank you I want to thank you For holding me You ve been so good so good, to me.

11 In Thanksgiving for the Life Choir Methodist Fellowship Choir Ushers Allen Temple A.M.E. Church Holsey Chapel C.M.E. Church Flower Bearers Stewardesses Women s Missionary Society Honorary Pallbearers United States Army Active Pallbearers Ministry to Men Repast Holsey Chapel Church Interment Evergreen City Cemetery Acknowledgement The beautiful work of God has been seen in each of you through your kindness in remembrance of our loved one. We are very thankful to each of you for your prayers, visits, telephone calls, flowers, and many other expressions of kindness. May God continue to bless each of you and keep you in His care. 11

12 Arrangements Entrusted to Halls Funeral Home 415 East Pine Street - P. O. Box 602 Fitzgerald, Georgia Office: (229) Fax: (229) Printed Memorial Commissioned to CLDG, Inc. Event Management & Graphic Design P. O. Box 402 Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750