“What are you going to say about Leora?” Question to her Pastor

Leora Goff Wilson died on her 97th birthday, December 4, 1987. This is from her funeral which was on a very foggy December 7.

Rev. Jerry D. Palmer, First Christian Church, Guthrie Center, Iowa

December 7, 1987

(This included a Call to Worship and an Invocation. The Scripture Selections were Psalm 23, Psalm 121, and from the book of John. A Pastoral Prayer was next, then her obituary, then special music. I’m including only Pastor Palmer’s Meditation:)

While with some people yesterday, the question was asked of me, “What are you going to say about Leora?” My answer, “There are so many things going around in my mind just now, that I am going to have to sort them out, to make my words meaningful and special to all who have gathered here this day.”

Before we begin to look at faith and hope and love, let me share with you just two or three things about being pastor with Leora for these past 18 years. First of all, there was a special kind of bond between Leora and myself. You see, my mother’s name is also LeOra. Though spelled a bit differently, it is pronounced the same, and since there are not too many with that name, these two persons had a special thing going for them, and since I was the son of one, it made it special for me, as well.

Taken in 1987

Secondly, Leora was one whom I would liken to John Wayne in the movie, “True Grit.” By true grit, I mean that she never gave up in or on life. There were times when the weather was so bad, I did not expect to see Leora here, and yet, as I would pass by the north window in the entryway, there she would be coming down the street. Perhaps it was raining hard, or it was slick, or it was snowing. It got so that, when we would cancel church because of the weather, she would be one of the first I would call, because I know that she would try to make it. This true grit has been expressed to me in the past couple of days by a good number of persons on the street. She would not miss Auxiliary, or Women’s Fellowship, or would never be late in paying her bills, but would walk to town to take care of the matters at hand.

Thirdly, there was an enjoyment of life. Her association with others in many differing kinds of ways was special to her. It meant that she could go, rather than sit at home. It meant that the mind was kept active and alive, by what was taking place not only within the organization, but as well the world. There was the keeping of one’s body fit – fit to work in the year tending to the flower and yard, of itself, of walking to town, for whatever reason. It was not sitting in a rocking chair, to wither away, if you will, but to remain active and alive and vital, even though the years were beginning to take their toll.

Also, there was a deep and abiding faith, not only in people or groups, but in the God and Father of us all, and in our Lord Jesus Christ. I have only heard bits and pieces of the troublesome life that Leora had, but I remark at her faith. The losing of children, a husband, parents, brothers and a sister, one would think that this would make a person bitter and sour on the world, but for Leora, it was opportunity. An opportunity that looked at the situation square in the eye, and said, “I believe, I have faith and hope and love, and I am going to express it all the days of my life.” It was an opportunity, if you will, to come close to God, walking down the path of death and disease, only to know that he would, indeed, provide a place for us. It was recognition that he gave his only begotten son, on the cross for each and every one of us, so that those who believe in him will never die, but will have eternal life.

Perhaps the great apostle Paul expressed it best when he said, like Leora’s life, “I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is for me the crown of righteousness.” What better words can we say of this lady who has touched all of us in many ways, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and with God we would say, “Enter into the Kingdom.”

Benediction – As you turn to God, may his peace be yours even in this sad time. Be in the world, as Jesus was. Forgive and love one another in his name. Let the risen Christ care for you. Welcome the Holy Spirit to be your Comforter. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leora Goff Wilson and her mother, Laura Jordan Goff, worshiped and served God in this church for decades, beginning in 1948. Laura Goff had also attended this church during the 1920s when her family lived in a Victorian house. She learned how to vote there at a WCTU meeting.