Death is as a Door

We found out last night that Chris' grandmother passed away on Thursday, March 8th. This came just two months after the death of his grandfather on Dec. 31st. Both were the parents of Chris' dad, Allen, who is currently in Texas looking after some of the family's affairs. What do we say at a time like this? How do we think, feel, and respond? While our joy is tainted by our earthly sadness, we can rejoice in the fact that our God is good and that he carries things out in his own time.

at Chris & Stephanie's wedding in 2005

John William "Bill" Freeman Sr. (1930 - 2011)

John William "Bill" Freeman Sr., 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Bill was born Sept. 27, 1930, in Grapevine to Rex B. and Ruby Freeman. Bill was a cherished husband of 59 years and beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend. Survivors: Wife, Tressie Freeman; son, Allen Rex Freeman and wife, Carol; grandchildren, Christopher and Alicia; sister, Kathryn White; numerous nieces and nephews.

Tressie Freeman (1932 - 2012)

Tressie Freeman, 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Tressie was born May 3, 1932, in Danville, Ark., to parents, Tommie Lee and Velma Woodard. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband of 59 years, John William "Bill" Freeman. Survivors: Son, Allen Rex Freeman and wife, Carol; grandchildren, Christopher and Alicia; sister, Carol Bane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

"The Lord cares for His believing people in their deaths. Their times are all in the Lord's hand. The hairs of their heads are all numbered and not one can ever fall to the ground without their Father's permission. They are kept on earth until they are ripe and ready for glory and not one moment longer. When they have had enough sun and rain, enough wind and storm, enough cold and heat- when the fruit is ripe- then, and not until then, they are harvested. They are all immortal until their work is done. There is not a disease that can take their lives until the Lord gives the word. A thousand can fall at their right hand, but there is not a plague that can touch them until the Lord sees fit. There is not a physician that can keep them alive when the Lord gives the word to bring them home. When they come to their deathbed, the everlasting arms are wrapped around them. When they die, they die like Moses, "As the Lord had said," and at the right time, and in the right way [Deuteronomy 34:5]. And when they breathe their last, they fall asleep in Christ and are immediately carried, like Lazarus, to Abraham's bosom. Yes! It is a blessed thing to be Christ's wheat. When the sun of other men is setting, the sun of the believer is rising. When other men are laying aside their honors, he is putting his on. Death locks the door on the unbeliever and shuts him out from hope, but death opens the door to the believer and lets him into paradise."      J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion

- obituaries taken from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram