| a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director |
Ella Kaye Hammock Collins had the rare privilege of facing death with courage, faith and openness. She had gained strength from God’s Word to face the challenges of a long battle with cancer and was an example of courage and faith for her husband, three children and grandchildren, and all who knew her.
As longtime family friends, my wife, Kay, and I had the privilege recently of participating in her memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Barbourville where she had been a member.
Music was the anchor of Ella’s soul. A 1969 graduate of Georgetown College with a degree in music education, she had taught private piano lessons for 30 years and accompanied school and community choirs. At First Baptist, she accompanied the adult choir and directed the children’s choirs.
Music was a part of Ella’s life but also a part of her death as her family sang her favorite hymns for her just two hours before her passing. Needless to say, the memorial service was filled with worship through music and the Word of God.
Through her great faith, Ella was willing to face death openly. This permitted her to share special thoughts and love with her family and make plans for her own memorial service. Her husband, Andreae, said that she was the greatest person of faith that he had ever known.
It was not a surprise that the church was filled with people. Twenty-three members of her high school graduating class were present from as far away as Texas.
Ella’s pastor, Shane Nickell, shared an excellent message on Psalm 23. He helped everyone to understand that grief will be expressed in ways and at a pace that is unique for each person. Our Shepherd will guide us through that valley.
Andreae expressed what many husbands feel in a poem he wrote in memory of his wife:
I Caught A Falling Star
For Ella
My wedded wife, My faithful friend,
My shining star until the end . . .
All the stars aren’t in the Blue,
For one has lived with me and you.
She came down to light my life,
She lived with me, she was my wife.
A super Mom, A perfect Mother,
Not just for ours, but many others.
Always there with a helping hand,
For little ones, a Mother-Grand.
They all loved her like no other,
They had a Nana not just Grandmother.
She walked awhile on this Earth’s sod,
And now I know she walks with God.
Ella’s life is a shining example of a Christ-centered life well lived. Let us all learn from her how to glorify the Father by living lives of faith and service!
Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535. |