A memorial service was held for my grandmother in Mobile today. There will be another one in her hometown of Richmond, VA on June 5th that Berck and I are planning on attending.

Here’s a eulogy my dad delivered at the service today. I thought it was a pretty cool synopsis of my grandmother’s life…

DOROTHEA BOCK STAPLES
June 11, 1915 – May 11, 2004

Most of you here in Mobile knew her either as Sarah’s mom, Robert’s mom-in-law, Joanna, Stephanie or Ben’s grandmother or the little ole lady in the wheelchair with the big smile.

She was certainly all of those things, but her younger days were pretty amazing.

Born in Cincinnati Ohio to first generation German immigrants, she had to work diligently both in helping her parents with their business as well as completing her studies in school. And it was in these educational endeavors that she really excelled. In fact, one of her great achievements was winning a national academic award that resulting in her, and about 11 other young ladies, joining Eleanor Roosevelt for Tea in the White House.

After getting her degree from the University of Cincinnati, she entered the Navy and served as a lieutenant in the Waves. While in the service she married Ernest Staples, and left the service to give birth to their son Bill in 1945. Then after the war, the family settled in Virginia where Sarah was born. When Sarah was 10 the family moved to Richmond where Dottie became a school teacher.

Dottie excelled in teaching and in the early 1970s she was chosen VA Public Television’s Educational Math teacher. For a number of years, her lessons were broadcast into schoolrooms statewide.

Dottie poured herself into whatever she did and church was no exception. When the family moved to Richmond in the late 50s, they joined a large downtown church, Second Presbyterian, and became an integral part of that community. She helped with hospitality events, sang in the choir, ran the soup kitchen that fed the homeless, and was the adopted mom to countless refugees and seminarians that attended the church. Dottie was also deeply involved in the Presbyterian Women’s programs and when she was in her late 70’s, she served for several years as President of the Presbyterian Women of the James, a network of 100 plus churches. On May 1, 1993, she was awarded an Honorary Life membership.

She also served on the Session of Second Presbyterian Church and in 2001 was awarded the honor of Elder Emeritus.

But without a doubt, her greatest joy was as a grandmother. She dearly loved her 4 grandchildren, and though her German nature tended to require much of them, in reality there was nothing that any might do that would dissuade her from loving them without limits. She relished any news from them–always celebrating the joy of their achievements, and she prayed mightily for them to become strong women and men of God.

In December 1994, while visiting 3 of those grandchildren here in Mobile, Dottie suffered a debilitating stroke. During the following 9 1/2 years, she faced almost insurmountable odds, but with great fortitude and a deep faith she pressed on to finish the race. Many would have given up or become resentful, but somehow she became softer and more in love with Jesus. She longed to go home, but knew the timing was in His hands.

Then the coup de grace happened 6 weeks ago when her first great grandchild, Ian Nathaniel, was born. For days she would wheel around the house with this great big smile on her face saying his name over and over again. “Ian, Ian, Ian.”

On May 2 she participated in his baby dedication which took place on the deck of our home in the country. As a part of the service, there was a time for individuals to come forward and pray for baby Ian. Several walked forward and prayed-some out loud, others silently. After what seemed the final prayer, one could hear the sound of the wheels rolling across the wood decking. We all watched in wonder as Dottie wheeled over to her great grandson, laid her hands on Ian’s head and said with the limited words that she was able to speak one of the most eloquent prayers of all.

“Thank You, Thank you, Thank you.”

And like the 84 year old prophetess Anna who lived for the day that she could give thanks for the Messiah, 88 year old “great grandma Dottie” gave thanks to God for this child who represented yet another generation.

The smile on her face and the joy in her heart must have brought great delight to her Father God. For 10 days later, He lovingly called her home.

And what a home that must be!

The scriptures we read today talked about
A banquet of the best meats and finest wines.
A time when all tears are wiped away.
A home for even the sparrow that is near to God.
A gathering around God in which is so overwhelming that all one can do is forever praise Him.

We as finite beings want to ascribe descriptions to eternal life that have to do more with place than relationship. But perhaps heaven is a great deal less about a place than about that completed intimate relationship with our God that we have so deeply desired since creation.

And if that is so, then all the reason why those who get closer to heaven better understand the power and significance of our relationships on this earth.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 145 that

“One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy might acts.” For it is in doing this that we are able to pass on the real TRUTH about this life we live.

Dorothea Bock Staples did just that
for her children,
her grandchildren
and her great grandchild

and the generations to come will bear the fruit of both her life AND her prayers.