Order of Service Opening Remarks..........................Pastor S. Robert Stewart A Time of Praise and Worship Prayer.............................................................Elder Miller Musical Selection......................................Bro & Sis Dennis In moments like these I sing out a song I sing out a love song to Jesus In moments like these I lift up my hands I lift up my hands to the Lord
Singing I love you, Lord Singing I love you, Lord Singing I love you, Lord I love you
Scripture Reading.............................Fay Hawthorne (Sister) Special Tribute.................Sister Joy and Brother Edric Turner (Sister and Brother-In-Law) Eulogy..............................Marcia, Michael, Keisha (Children) Musical Selection....................I Know Whom I Have Believed
Order of Service Special Tribute......................Stacha-Keimone and Shavasha (Granddaughters) Scripture Reading..........................Marcia and Jeffrey Styles (Daughter and Son-in-Law) Hymn.............................When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder Poem...........................................Laurel Howell (Bestfriend) Song.............................................Great is Thy Faithfulness Open Call...............A time for those who wish to share memories of Sister Phyllis Choir Message.......................................Pastor S. Robert Stewart Recession......................................................Praise Team
Eulogy Our beloved mother, Phyllis May Smith was born on January 22, 1945 to Joseph and Matilda Williams, in St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the second oldest of six children. As a young girl, mom was described as quiet and shy, yet strong and resilient. Due to the benevolence of her mother, she was able to migrate to the United States in 1984, with her middle and youngest children. Her first role was mother, but her multiple ambitions allowed for various endeavors while living in Jamaica. She was an employee of New Yorker Shirt Factory in Kingston and later pursued entrepreneurship as a small business owner. Her professional aspirations culminated in a role as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in the United States. Her compassion for patient care allowed her to flourish in this role. She was well respected by her peers and the persons for whom continuous care was provided. She treated her patients with dignity and respect, and always with kindness. Mom raised her children according to the teachings of Christ and later committed her life to His service in 1992. Mom was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, shortly after she turned her life over to Christ. It was the single most pivotal choice made as she has relied on God’s strength and enduring grace to sustain her since that time. She used her illness not as a weapon, but as a testimony to how God favored and enriched her life. Everyone with whom she made contact became enlightened by the encounter. She prayed for the doctors, nurses and medical personnel; she witnessed to everyone who cared for her while in the hospital, on the road, and in her home. She had 30% lung capacity, was on supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day for many years and never once asked, “why me?” She thought it futile and ungrateful to complain. She fought valiantly and graciously to the very end. Our mother was everything to everyone (lawyer, doctor, therapist, teacher, financial planner, life coach, realtor, banker, mentor—a
Eulogy true Jamaican!) and the epicenter of our family. We all looked forward to every major holiday, because if she was present (or cooking), good times were sure to be had; great conversations and indispensable advice was always on the menu. Mom loved nature, debating, reading the Holy Bible, crocheting, drawing and doing crossword puzzles. She did not work at a telecommunications center, but was the hub of all global, domestic and family news and events. Mom was our social media outlet; she announced birthdays, status updates, special events and reminders. While various family members did not call each other all the time, we were always able to “connect” with through our mother. She was the glue! In honor of her memory, we will have to make that special effort to further strengthen the bonds that hold our family close. A wise and humorous man once said: “When yuh a drink water, yuh never realize how good it is until it gawn!” Our mother nourished our lives with her words and unconditional love. Through Christ, she taught us the power of forgiveness, the joy in giving, and the rewards in self-discipline and sacrifice. We will miss her terribly, but are comforted that she is finally living the “forever life”, disease and pain free, with God, and Saints; a post which she has patiently and dutifully earned. Whether known as Ms. Phyllis or Sister Smith, she was a cherished and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. Sister Phyllis is survived by her siblings: Vivian, Joy, Fay and Christopher, her children: Marcia, Michael and Keisha; her grandchildren: Stacha-Keimone, Shavasha, Jamel, Tajh, David and Sean and her great-granddaughter, Amirah.
Precious Memories
Precious Memories
A Love Letter to My Mother
When the Roll is Called up Yonder
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. Refrain: When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. On that bright and *cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Our Mother’s Wisdom “Without Him I would be enslaved, would be homeless, would be dead.”
To Marcia Birthday blessings For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son for us, And fifty years ago he gave you to me. When I look back at how far you come, and how you have grown, I know it can only be God that has brought you this far. You are a strong, vivacious, and loving woman. You are a daughter, mother, grandmother, and even more importantly, friend. I often thank God for bringing you into my life. You are one of my greatest joys and accomplishments, I am truly proud of the woman you have become in Christ Jesus, and I am for all that you have done and continue to do for me. No mother could ask for anything more, You go above and beyond all that I could ever ask or think. My prayer for you is that your footsteps will be guided by the Lord. I pray that God will continue to bless you more and more, You and your children’s children as you seek Him first. Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper in all that you do. Know that I Love You now and forever, and have a blessed birthday. Love, Mommy ,December 24, 2011
Our Mother’s Love
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank our family, the PenTab family, along with close friends and well-wishers who have supported our mother throughout the years. Your compassionate thoughts and deeds carried Sister Phyllis through the most trying of times. May you receive the Lord’s many Blessings and Mercy in the days ahead. -The Family
Pall Bearers
Michael Rust, (Son) Jeffrey Styles, (Son-in-law) Damian Newell, (Grandson-in-law) Tajh Rust, (Grandson) David Rust, (Grandson)
Sean Rust, (Grandson)
Professional Services:
Royal Funeral Service, Inc. Mr. Leon Bland 17475 NW 27th Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33056