Mom dies

This account is dedicated in memory of my mother, Mary Ruth Winn Rozier, October 22, 1929 through January 7, 2001.

Proverbs 33:31 "Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Mom was tired, his body was fragile, and her spirit was broken. He had fought the good fight, but the scars of war were too many. Was 71 years old and weighed 71 pounds. As I briefly on some of the events of his life, we understand his desire to return home to rest.

The mother and her twin sister were born October 22, 1929. His parents, Archie and Ruth Gill Winn, their name Mary and Mildred. Aunt Mildred was tall and thin, and his mother was shorter and had more meat on her bones. I grew up in southern Georgia with six other brothers. Uncle Jasper was killed in WWII so I never knew. His other two brothers and three sisters were all other kind and humble. One thing about the family's mother is the love they had for each other. Were not materially rich, but the good Lord had richly blessed them in the things that money can not buy. As I write this, I remember growing up as a child and then during my adulthood to be around all those aunts, uncles, cousins and grandfather and grandmother over. Mom passed on this value of the family for me and my four sisters.

Winn grandfather died November 17, 1963 a few days before President Kennedy was killed. Grandmother died May 20, 1986. One by one their children followed them in death. As I write this today, May 25, 2003, only Mama's room, Aunt Mildred, and baby sister, Aunt Ida Mae Walker, are still alive.

Mom and dad got married young. Dad had served in the Pacific during the last months of World War II and like most young men of those days was happy to return home and marry his beloved. My sister was born in 1948, followed by the next sister in 1949, then I in 1952, my sister coming in 1953, and then my baby sister in 1956. I think they wanted a brother to me, but it did not happen. I would not take all the money in the world for my sisters! All are intelligent, beautiful mothers, cooks super good and very compassionate and loving. Their names (in order are):
Shirley, Evelyn, Linda and Joanne. I always remember Dad saying, "God definitely gave me a beautiful girls!"

Mom and Dad's financial problems at first. The small 2 bedroom frame home could not contain us all. This house had a bathroom (we had a chamber pot and an outhouse). I remember my mom water heating on the stove so we children could bathe in a tub number two (a galvanized tub with a diameter of about three meters). Daddy sold furniture and took odd jobs to make ends meet. Then one day something wonderful happened. And 'born again!

Once a man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus begins to pray for his family. A few years after his salvation, the Lord called to preach and was ordained as a minister father.

Daddy's prayers for a better paying job and was told we moved from Patterson to Blackshear. I was seven years old when we moved into a rented house with ensuite. The girl and her mother were happy!

Well, Dad continued to pray. He wanted us to have our place. God answered this prayer and in 1962 we moved to a pecan orchard of 15 hectares. We had a house, barn, chickens, pigs, cows, ducks and a good garden spot.

Dad was happy. He was a pastor of a neighborhood church and has continued to sell and deliver furniture.

The mother was 37 when the Lord called home dads. There were four of us stayed at home. For the next ten years, my mother was a single parent. He made many personal sacrifices for us. He also has faith in God and He helped raise us.

In 1976, she married a good man, Euell Deal. He lived only about two and a half years after he remarried. At 49 years old, my mother had lost two husbands, but by God's grace and comfort, he continued on.

In 1980 he remarried. This time, the man was not so good. At first it was, went to church, Mom took place, and it was good enough for her. Mother was reasonably happy and satisfied with her life.

Then the false Christian reared ugly head. First, he started with the abuse mentally, then physically and sexually abused. Over the years, this stress has taken a hard on Mama. Would not speak much, she said: "You do not know." You see, she was unequally yoked. Here was a lamb, and she was plowing with a donkey.

His health began to deteriorate. One thing right after another. He fell and broke his pelvis in four places. He experienced anxiety attacks. His nerves were in pieces.

Finally, in 1998, went to live at the Baptist Village, a retirement home in Waycross. Several years ago, my mother had worked there and liked the place. He refused to be divorced from this "man", so she was still married. This move her away from him. Was improving, but other problems popped up and she gradually went downhill.

On January 5, 2001 I received a call from the Baptist Village. Mom took a turn for the worse. I went there and only Sat and 'being just two of us. I sure hated to see her suffer so. His breathing was labored, and as I looked, I immediately thought of his labor will be over.

Around 12:30 the next day, our family began to gather in his room. We would like to talk to her and smooth her face with a feverish cold cloth. One of the policemen said: "Probably will not last two hours." Little did they know the inner strength my mother had. As his children, grandchildren, sisters, other relatives and friends were and are short visits, I knew that my mother recognized the voices of those she loved. Later that Saturday night, around 23:30, I leaned over and whispered to his mother, "Mom, it's okay to go ahead and rest. We will be fine. Tell dad I said hello when you get home .

Mom hung up when her niece, Erin, came after midnight. His breathing became increasingly labored and his fever rose. About 1:25, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, as the words of a song came to my mind. The words were: "It hurt so much to go see my mother, to be gone forever. But before she closed her eyes in death, I heard a knock at the door. A band of angels just came to bring her home to glory. "

I felt a gentle breeze and 01:32, 7 January 2001, Mother was carried by angels to her new home. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy victory?

Sunday morning, I went to preach at the nursing home, and that evening we gathered at the funeral home to make arrangements. Several years ago, my mother wanted me to go there with her and look at the coffins and do some preliminary funeral. She liked Mitchell Bowen who was part owner of the funeral. Mitchell thought he would (later Mitchell ran and won the county commissioner race. When he asked me to vote for him, he said: "Mitchell, you have my vote. Mama thought highly of you and that's good enough for me." ). Well, I did not know that the funeral home had changed ownership. Blake Smith had bought her mother and was its first funeral. Blake is a young man who is particularly suited for this profession. His real concern, professionalism and support are rare in this day and age.

At the wake, more than 700 people came by to pay their last respects to my mother. He touched many lives with his quiet, humble, gentle manner. Was now reaping what was sown over the years.

The chapel was overflowing at the funeral of her mother. The flowers were so plentiful and so beautiful. The mother did the flowers of love. I had the special honor to speak a few words during the funeral. I quoted this scripture: Matthew 25, verses 34-36: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: naked and you clothed me: I was sick and you visited me: I was in prison and you visited me. "This Scripture describes a mother of a tee.

The Lord has anointed the two preachers, anointed singing, and sent us a comfort for our loss. It 'been a service for a sweet sweet mother. Thank you Lord that you care about your "small".

Mother still lives in our hearts and memories. More important, things were fine between her and her Lord. See you again one day, never to be separated.

Luke 2.19: "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."