Funeral for Roberta Fenwick

I met Sister Roberta at Church for the first time 12 years ago. That was over in the 9th Avenue Building where the Pensacola Ward meets. Since then I have served in the Church with her and been her Bishop or Pastor twice. In 1997 I was ordained a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Roberta was an original member of the Perdido Branch and later the Perdido Ward. On 30 May of this year I was once again called as Bishop of the Perdido Ward and was once again Roberta's Bishop. Several personal observations about Roberta

1. She had an extraordinary wit: If you've ever seen the prototypical Roberta grin you know what I mean! That look always seemed to show a remarkable sense of humor and underneath it seemed to indicate that she was up to something and she may or may not tell you what it was!!
   
2. She was remarkably generous: Roberta had a great love of literature and in particular childrens literature. She enjoyed immensely sharing this love with our 4 children. For all of the years that we knew Roberta she took it upon herself (over our half-hearted objections; she said "it's my money ! I'll spend it how I want, thank you!) to give the gift of multiple magazine subscriptions to our children to enlighten and excite their imaginations! Her enthusiasm for the written word was a halmark of the Roberta we knew and loved
   
3. She had a remarkably firm testimony of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Gospel Doctrine (adult Sunday School) teacher she was very effective and persuasive in her teaching style. Her lovingly (if not always legible) handwritten instructional aids were a testament to her dedication to this call to sereve. It was always a joy to hear her testify of her love for the Savior Jesus Christ. She often remarked she didn't feel worthy to invite the Spirit into the class... Now that you're gone Roberta, I'll say one last time RUBBISH!! You we're a true Saint in our midst!
   

 

Near the end of her mortal sojourn Roberta experienced a lot of pain. She wondered aloud to me what was left for her to accomplish...what she still lacked...I was a little taken aback by this thought and assured her that all she yet lacked was the ability to cross the finish line of life with her head held high. One last trial lay ahead; patience with the Lord. One last refining test.

I read her a verse from the Book of Mormon found in Alma chapter 7 verse 23:

    "And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle;     easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all     things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times;     asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal;     always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do recieve."

After this interlude Bro LJ Carter and I gave Roberta a Priesthood blessing during which she was issued an honorable release from this life. This was a spiritual event I will cherish for the remainder of my life.

Where is Roberta?

Should we mourn her passing?

Will we see each other again?

What do we each face when we step through death's door?

When Roberta passed through the veil of death she transitioned to the next phase of her existence as an immortal spirit waiting the morning of the first resurrection.

I would say to friends and family and all of the rest of you here assembled:

I know where she's at, and I know what she's doing!

    When one of our loved ones passes beyond the veil of this mortal existence the parting brings a deep sadness and longing to each of us that is left behind. We feel disconnected and alone, we pause and consider our own mortality and what we are doing with our lives. We long to know for sure what the future holds for us beyond the certain step with uncertain dimensions we call death. The passing of a loved one invites deep reflection. I believe we may come to know and understand what the Psalmist testified of in the 30th Psalm:

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

JST Psalms 30:Verse 5

    But how can joy arise from the ashes of sorrow, when we are so clearly left behind? When our sorrow is so painfully fresh? How can we recover from the incredible vacancy that enters our lives?

The marvelous truth is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has provided a way for us to be reunited with our loved ones on the other side! He has prepared a plan with God our Heavenly Father that ensures eternal happiness and joy awaits each one of us. John chapter 3 verse 16 records probably the most often quoted passage in all of scripture:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Everlasting life...this sounds like a long-term affair! When we come to terms with the eternal truth that we are eternal beings and that we will exist forever a massive measure of comfort enters our hearts. Job the afflicted prophet of old declared:

For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19: 25-26

The glorious remarkable truth which applies to Helen and to each of us that we will have the ability in a future day to regain our physical bodies only with the added blessing of inheriting a perfected immortal body which is incapable of suffering all of the vicissitudes of this life.

The other day John and I took a moment to reflect on how wonderful it must have been for Helen to arrive on the other side and find herself alert and free from the cares and worries of this world! How marvelous must have been the reunion with Roy and other family and friends in that elevated sphere! What a great blessing to know we have the opportunity to receive the same welcome home when we depart this world! The Holy Scriptures testify to us of the plan of God for his children's happiness. Let me share three of my favorites with you:

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life…

John 5: 28-29

In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

John 14: 2-3

A Prophet declared, speaking of those who mourn for their deceased relatives:

....when I talk to these mourners, what have they lost? Their relatives and friends are only separated from their bodies for a short season: their spirits which existed with God have left the tabernacle of clay only for a little moment, as it were; and they now exist in a place where they converse together the same as we do on the earth,

I have a father, brothers, children, and friends who have gone to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again. The time will soon arrive when the trumpet shall sound. When we depart, we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and all whom we love...

 

Let us not unduly mourn the passing of Roberta. She is not gone forever nor doth she sleep! Her physical tabernacle resides in this chapel, her magnificent eternal spirit has taken its place among the millions that have gone before!

    Near the end the faithfulness of Roberta was given one more stiff test through which she marvelously forged ahead. All of this was a real chore for her because of health concerns she was struggling with. I admire the quality of her perseverance in the face of adversity, and I hope that as we take a moment today to remember Roberta, we might consider what more we can do in this world to be like her in this way.

    I feel confident that Roberta is marveling in the splendor of the paradise in which she is a new citizen. We too are drawing ever closer to the transition to eternity we call "death". May we each have peace and clarity knowing that there is indeed a place "prepared for us".