Homegoing Celebration for Mother Bessie Elizabeth Lightfoot Lane 1896 2000 Saturday, March 25, 2000 Syler Tabernacle 904 Oakwood Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35811 Reverend Timothy M. Rainey, Officiating Pastor, Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church 320 Indian Creek Road Huntsville, Alabama 35806 Mother Bessie Elizabeth Lightfoot Lane 1896 2000 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that da I Timothy 4:6-8
Obituary Mother Bessie Elizabeth Lightfoot Lane was born May 15, 1896 to the late Warren and Martha East Lightfoot in Madison County, Alabama. She answered her call on Saturday, March 18, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. Mother Bessie Lane was the second of four children. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend J. Kempfield. In her church, she served on the Mothers Board and as a member of the Sisters Aid Society. She was affiliated with the Glittering Star Chapter Number 94 Order of Easter Star. She also served as historian for the East Cemetery Improvement Association. Mother Lane attended the High School division of the Alabama A&M College (The Normal School). At the age of 19, Mother Lane married Mr. John Amos Drake, I. To this union, six children were born. Following the death of Mr. Drake, Mother Lane married the late Reverend Charlie Lane, a widower with nine children. To this large family, a son was added. At the age of 47, she was widowed again and left to raise a portion of this blended family. She persevered with hard work and the help of the Lord. Mother Lane was truly a virtuous woman who feared the Lord. (Proverbs 31:10-31). Her belief in God and indomitable spirit is the anchor that has kept her large diverse family extremely close. Her commitment to family was demonstrated when at age 73, she accepted the challenge of rearing her 14 month old grandson, Woodie M. Lane Jr., who lost his mother to illness. In this too she persevered and was blessed to see her grandson become a productive young man who in July of 1999 married Connie Henderson Lane. extends far beyond relatives;; her memories will be cherished by many. At 103 years of age, her circle of friends and admirers was vast and nationwide;; she was affectionately call by many. Ma Bessie was preceded in death by two daughters, Mrs. Hazel Drake Scruggs and Mrs. Lois Drake Edwards. Her Love and legacy will live on through four daughters, Mrs. Clara M. Crutcher and Mrs. Ellen Walton of Detroit, MI, Mrs. Helen Burwell of Huntsville, AL and Mrs. Josephine Leonard of Baton Rougue, LA.;; four sons, Mr. John A. Drake, Sr. of Harvest, AL, Mr. Woodie M. (Rosalie) Lane, Sr. of Meridianville, AL, Reverend Charles Lane, Sr. and as aforementioned, Mr. Woodie M. (Connie) Lane, Jr. both of Huntsville, AL.;; two sons-in-law, Mr. Moses Scruggs of Huntsville, AL and Mr. Kirby Edwards of Middletown, OH;; fifty-two grandchildren, eighty-five great grandchildren, thirty-three great great grandchildren and one great great great grandchild;; one first cousin, Mrs. Clara Jones (101 years old) of South Euclid, OH;; a very dear niece, Mrs. Marjorie Looney of Decatur, AL, five grandnieces and four grandnephews;; one adopted daughter, Mrs. Reletha Moch of River Rouge, MI;; three adopted granddaughters, Mrs. Mamie L. McDonald, Mrs. Claudette Brooks and Mrs. Shirley Talley, all of Madison County;; a dear friend from childhood, Mrs. Mattie Pearl Chunn of Huntsville, AL;; a huge extended family;; the Indian Creek P. B. Church family
Beautiful Memories This writing is to reminisce some of the most wonderful times the grandchildren of Ma Bessie experienced while visiting with her in their childhood and spending time with her in later years. At home, the major hot cereal was either grits, oatmeal or rice;; Ma Bessie served cream of wheat for breakfast. You could always count on refreshments being served over in the evening past the dinner personality. In the winter, you never had to worry about getting cold in the night. The bed had so many covers that you could not turn in any direction. She stressed the importance of work when she shared her experiences as a plowboy. When her parents died, she was five years of age. An aunt finished rearing her, but she never failed to mention others who looked out for her such as Mrs. Hereford and her family (mother of Mrs. Martha H. Moore and Grandmother of Mrs. Lucille Moore of the Indian Creek P. B. Church Family). This was to help the grandchildren understand that hard work would not kill you and that you never know who might have to give you a helping hand. Therefore, be kind to everyone. She definitely did not tolerate grandchildren acting overly critically Our grandmother was a very industrious lady and showed that industry up to a short while prior to her February illness and subsequent death. She always wanted to help;; she believed one should be constructively busy, not idle. Words cannot describe the care she applied in folding towels so neatly and precisely. Speaking of random acts of kindness, Ma Bessie really loved animals. She would feed and water stray dogs and cats, therefore they found a home on her property. She did this to such an extent that her being arrested was feared by her family on one specific occasion (smile). wisdom;; others were simply for laughs. Our grandmother was blessed to have learned to read and write in her youth. She was thankful and proud to be able to handle her own business for many many years. She demanded her own subscription to and she enjoyed reading the news from a viable perspective! On warm days, she would sit on her porch and look southward where her great granddaughters were playing in their backyard. She commented on how wonderful and blessed it made her feel just to see the continuation of her lineage. She was proud to visit the homes of her grandchildren. She would compliment them on their nice dwellings and remind them of just how blessed they were to live as comfortably as they did. She would add how proud she was of all her grands. Ma Bessie was very very independent. In 1991, it took several members of the family along with then Pastor Michael Hartwell to convince her that she could not live alone. Woodie Jr. was enlisting into the United States Army. After several verbal scrimmages, she reluctantly complied with the God has a marvelous way of arranging things. Since Helen in Huntsville and Ellen in Detroit assumed the roles of primary care givers, this provided a means for the Crutchers and Waltons in Michigan and the Edwards in Ohio to see their grandmother with the kind of frequency they enjoyed on home. The Burwells and Lanes of Huntsville were given a similar opportunity as the Drakes and Scruggs had during their formative years. The Lightfoot, Drake, Lane and Moore family gives highest praise to their Lord and Savior for keeping Ma Bessie healthy, agile and alive for over 100 years. Oh what a blessing as grandchildren to have grown up guided and corrected by such a God fearing and genteel lady. The family expresses gratitude to the main care givers (Helen and Ellen) and their assistants, Clara Mae (until she became ill in February of 1999) and Reletha Moch in Detroit and John Amos, Sr. and Woodie, Sr. in Huntsville for all the love and support that they gave our fallen matriarch. Lovingly submitted on behalf of the grandchildren by Granddaughter, Carol Drake-Harris
In Communion For many fruitful years, Mrs. Bessie Lane held a special place in our hearts. We cherish the family times and friendship shared between our mothers. We are yet nourished by their spirits. Their strong legacy of love and devotion give us solace To a strong, wonderful lady who generously shared To We pay homage and tribute on this day to Sister Bessie Lane and extend our hope and prayer that a quiet comfort and gentle peace will surround you now and in the days ahead. The Family of the Late Mrs. Fannie Scruggs Pulley Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures;; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
Order of Service ~Processional~ Opening Song... Indian Creek P. B. Church Choir Opening Prayer... Pastor Theodore Bone Beaver Dam Primitive Baptist Church Selection... Choir Scripture Old Testament Reading...Pastor Dr. John Herndon Fellowship Presbyterian Church New Testament Reading... Pastor Dave McGlathery Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church Solo... Pastor Endia Scruggs (Granddaughter) Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America Tributes Community... Sister Karen Lockhart Church... Deacon Raymond Smith Family... Pastor Mylon L. Burwell (Grandson) Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Solo... Brother Calvin W. Drake (Grandson) Eulogy... Pastor Timothy Rainey Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church Selection... Choir Closing Prayer... Pastor Elton Draper Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ ~Recessional~
Acknowledgments The Family of Mrs. Bessie E. Lane acknowledges with sincere appreciation the many acts of love extended to her during her brief illness. They are grateful for all expressions of sympathy (calls, cards, visits, food, assistance and other acts of kindness) shown them during her passing. May God abundantly bless each of you. Flower Bearers Granddaughters and Relatives Honorary Flower Bearers Mothers of Indian Creek P. B. Church Glittering Star Chapter No. 94 Order of Eastern Star Pall Bearers Grandsons Honorary Pall Bearers Deacons of Indian Creek P. B. Church Interment East Cemetery Highway 72 West at Rideout Road (In Front of Home Depot) Huntsville, AL Final Arrangements Entrusted To Royal Funeral Home