Emma Victoria Gadsden Harris

Transcription

1 Funeral Service For The Late Emma Victoria Gadsden Harris July 2, 1927 July 20, 2005 SATURDAY OF TRINITY VIII JULY 23, AD. 2005, 1:OOPM in Grace Reformed Episcopal Church Moncks Corner, South Carolina * * * PRESIDING: The Rev. Fred Garnett Rector PREACHING: The Rt. Rev. James C. West, Sr., Bishop Ordinary Diocese of the Southeast, Reformed Episcopal Church

2 Artier for tlje purial of tlje eab Prelude Timothy O Malley, Cello & Rachael Lever, Violin, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Processional Sentences THE BOOK OF COMMON PRA YER, Page 516 Opening Hymn #333 (next page) Leaning On The Everlasting Arms Psalter from Psalm 27. (p. 517 & next page) The Rev. Joseph Myers Gloria Patri (sung by all) The Old Testament Lesson Lamentations 3:22-26,31-33 The Rev. Billy Alford, Rector of St. Alban s Episcopal Church Augusta, Georgia The Epistle Lesson I Corinthians 15:50-58 Page 523 The Rev. Joshua Prioleau Announcement of the Holy Gospel (all stand) The Rev. Edmond B. Mazyck, Rector of Redeemer Church Gloria tibi (sung by all): Glory be to thee, O Lord. The Gospel: St. Luke 23:39-45 (read in the nave) Laus tibi (sung by all): Praise be to thee, O Christ The Apostles Creed (all stand) Page 16 Sermon Hymn #279 (on back) O Master Let Me Walk With Thee Sermon The Rt. Rev. James C. West, Sr., Bishop Ordinary The Reformed Episcopal Diocese of the Southeast Choral Selection: O Lord, Let Me Lean On You Grace Combined Choirs The Lord s Prayer, Other Prayers and The Grace Pages The Very Rev. Thomas J. Handy, Dean of Lower Berkeley Convocation The Rev. Willie J. Hill, Rector of New Israel Church, Charleston Remarks and Tributes: From Grace Reformed Episcopal Church From the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of the Southeast From Bishop S. K. Rembert From Anna Bell Isaac, Sister From James Harris, Jr., Son Benediction Bishop West Closing Hymn #312 (vs. 1 & 4, on back) Softly And Tenderly I ll Fly Away Recessional Sentences * * * Interment at Graveside Pages Blanding Cemetery, Pineville, SC Committal of the Body The Bishop Prayers at Graveside The Very Rev. Dr. Julius Barnes, Dean of Charleston Convocation Benediction The Bishop * * * Page 2

3 OPENING HYMN # What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. REFRAIN 2. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. REFRAIN 3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. REFRAIN REFRAIN: Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. PSALTER: Dominus illuminatio. from Psalm 27 (Read responsively by half verse) THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? * the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require; * even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; * yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone. And now shall he lift up my head * above mine enemies round about me. Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation, with great gladness: * I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD. Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee; * have mercy upon me, and hear me. My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face: * Thy face, LORD, will I seek. O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been my succor; * leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. I should utterly have fainted, * but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. O tarry thou the LORD S leisure; * be strong, and he shall comfort thy heart; and put thou thy trust in the LORD. PageS

4 SERMON HYMN #279 1 O Master, let me walk with Thee In lowly paths of service free; 3 Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee Tell me Thy secret; help me bear In closer, dearer company, The strain of toil, the fret of care. In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, 2 Help me the slow of heart to move In trust that triumphs over wrong; By some clear, winning word of love; 4 In hope that sends a shining ray Teach me the wayward feet to stay, Far down the future s broadening way; And guide them in the homeward way. In peace that only Thou canst give, With Thee, O Master, let me live. CLOSING HYMN #312 1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me. REFRAIN. REFRAIN: Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home! 4 O! for the wonderful love He has promised, Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me. REFRAIN PALLBEARERS Vestry & Officers of Grace Church FLORALBEARERS Ministers Wives of the R.E. Diocese of the Southeast & Eastern Star ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Family of the late Emma Victoria Gadsden Harris gratefully appreciates all expressions of loving sympathy and concern shown at this time. May God s blessing be upon each of you. * FOLLOWING THE INTERMENT, You ARE INVITED TO A FELLOWSHIP MEAL WITH THE FAMILY AT J.K. GOURDINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HWY 45, PINEVILLE, SC * ^funeral ^rrangemente bp H>tottg jfuneral ffiome MONCKS CORNER, SC Page 4

5 (Z^bttuarp Emma Victoria Gadsden Harris was bom on July 2, 1927, in Russellville, SC, to the Rev. Joseph and Leah Gadsden. As a child she was reared in a Christian family and was baptized in Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville, SC. The religious teaching and guidance which she received at home and at Redeemer Church became the foundation for her many decades of service. Her early education was at J.K. Gourdine Elementary School and Burke Industrial High School. She went on to Morris College, from which she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. From her union in marriage to the Rev. James Harris two sons were born: James, Jr., of Detroit; and Henry Thomas, of Augusta, Georgia. Emma lived a life with passionate commitments to her family, church, schools, students, and community. As an educator, she served as a teacher at the following schools: Howe Hall ( ), Whiteville ( ), Black Tom ( ), R.A. Ready ( ), Berkeley Elementary ( ), College Park ( ). Also, she was a substitute teacher in Berkeley County schools from 1985 to She was one of the first African-American teachers to foster civil rights and school desegregation in Berkeley County with her appointment as a teacher to the then all white Berkeley Elementary School (1970). And, as an educator, she provided quality curriculum and instruction to thousands of students in South Carolina. Emma s deep and abiding faith was expressed in the worship of Almighty God and her tireless work in the Diocese of the Southeast of the Reformed Episcopal Church, in such organizations as the Ministers Wives Alliance (Co- Vice President), Committee on Women s Work, Women of the Church (Co-Vice President), Bishop Jerdan Conference Center Auxiliary (Chairman), Cummins Seminary Auxiliary

6 bituarp continueb (Vice Chair), Diocesan Banquet Committee, Missionary Convention (Past President), and Diocesan Ushers. As a member of Grace Church, Emma provided leadership as a member of the Vestry, Junior Warden, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Parish Council, Senior Choir President, Missionary Society President, Bible School instructor, Pulpit Aid Chair, Women of the Church representative, B.J.C.C. representative, and other church projects. She represented Grace Church at countless conferences, conventions, Christian Education workshops, Diocesan Synods, and General Councils of the Reformed Episcopal Church. As a productive citizen of the community, Emma actively participated in the Progressive League, the Moncks Corner Chapter of Eastern Star #161, School Parent-Teacher Associations, and Life Membership in the NAACP. The earthly life of Emma Harris ended on Wednesday, July 20, On that day God Almighty, through His Son Jesus Christ, gave her eternal rest in His Heavenly Kingdom with all the saints in light. Emma leaves two sons: James, Jr. (Gwendolyn), and Henry Thomas (Helen); four grand children: David, Leah, Tamela, and Melody; two great-grand children: Dameon and Alvin Zaccheus. Also left are four sisters: Beatrice Staggers of Jersey City, NJ, Ida Edwards of St. Stephen, SC, Anna Bell Isaac of Augusta, GA, Barbara Haines of Moncks Corner, SC; and two brothers: Joseph Lloyd and Isaac Gadsden, both of Washington, D.C.; an Aunt, a host of Cousins, former students, and friends.