Constance Farmer Obit_DRAFT

Celebration of Life

Saturday, April 23, 2016 10:00 a.m.

Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ 5151 Winchester s Memphis, TN 38118 Bishop Brandon B. Porter ~ Officiant ~

Pastor Andrew C. Singleton ~ Facilitator ~

Family Tributes Mema, It’s hard to say goodbye because you are the best Mema in the world! I will miss you taking me to the movies and to dinner.

I will miss our summer vacations, shopping outings, and seeing you in church. What I will miss most is sitting in your lap and exchanging hugs and kisses with you and talking.

I love you, Cadence.

Grandmother, My grandma was like a best friend to me. She was always there for me when I needed her most. In many ways she was more like a mother to me than a grandmother. I didn’t always like or agree when she corrected me when I did wrong, but I knew it was all done out of love. I love you and will miss you and look forward to seeing you in Heaven later on.

Darron “DJ” Russell, Jr. Mema, You know how I am, so this is very hard for me. I can’t find the words to say but you know how I feel. I love you and will miss you!

Dalyn We had a wonderful Mema, one who never really grew old; Her smile was made of sunshine; And her heart was solid gold.

Her eyes were as bright as shining stars, & in her cheeks fair roses you see We had a wonderful grandmother, and that’s the way it will always be.

But, take heed because she’s still keeping an eye on all of us...

So let’s make sure she likes what she sees!

Dylan and Caelynn

Momma I don’t know where to start. Mom, I miss you more than anyone will ever know.

First, I would like to thank God for allowing and giving us the opportunity to know one of His angels. I will miss our talks, the advice you would give me, your smile, your love and your life lessons. But most of all, I will miss my momma.

I love you, Michael

Dear Mom...

I can’t say good-bye right now because you’ve meant so much to me. Not only have you been a wonderful mother but you’ve been my friend, spiritual advisor and in many situations my direct connection to God. Thank you for displaying what a true woman of God is. Thank you for showing me what it is to love with the love of God in spite of how others may have treated you. Most of all thank you for being you, the best mother and grandmother on this side of heaven. Enjoy your beautiful new home but don’t forget to check on me.

Love Gacia

To My Mother I could shed tears over the fact that you are gone, or I can smile because you lived. I could close my eyes and pray that you will come back, or open my eyes and see that you have lived a life worth living. My heart can be empty because you’re no longer here, or it can be full of the love we shared.

I could focus on the fact that I have lost my mom, friend and roommate, or cherish your memory and let it live on. I could cry, shut it out of my mind, be empty and turn my back, or do as you instructed me to do when I lost my husband and I’m sure you want me to do now...smile, lift up my head, pray, love and go on.

You heard God’s whisper calling you home, you didn’t want to go and leave us alone. You loved us somuch, you held on tight, till all your strength was gone and you could no longer fight. You gave Godyour hand and slowly drifted away, knowing that with our love we will be together again someday.

I love you and will forever miss you...LaShaw’na Wright

Seasons of Life

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

E

vangelist Missionary Constance L. Farmer was born September 7, 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Lawrence Hawkins, Sr. and Beulah Mae “Rowena” Hawkins. Constance accepted Jesus Christ at a very early age at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ. Constance was a faithful, committed, and dedicated member of Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Brandon B. Porter until her health failed.

Constance was a product of the Memphis City School system and graduated from Southside High School in 1970. Constance received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Belhaven Christian College. Constance was employed by Federal Express and retired after 28 years of service.

Evangelist Missionary Farmer loved God and His Word. She was a licensed Missionary of the Church of God in Christ and served on the Missionary board at Greater Community Temple C.O.G.I.C. Constance had the “gift of helps” and served in any capacity she could.

Evangelist Missionary Farmer was a Sunday school teacher, intercessor and prayer warrior.

Constance was a doting grandmother to her five grandchildren. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She especially loved going to the movies with them. Some of her hobbies included sewing, cooking, and traveling.

Constance loved to do many things. Constance loved to cook for her family and friends. She was a shining example of a Christian woman.

She taught her children the way of holiness and the importance of living for God. Not only did she show her family how to pray, she required her children to attend church, Sunday school, choir rehearsal and anything else going on at church.

Constance made her transition from this earthly life to eternal peace on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

The clock of life came to stop for our beloved mother. She fought a good fight, and God said servant, well done. Constance was preceded in death by her sister, Delois Hawkins and son-inlaw, Terralon Wright.

Constance leaves to forever cherish her precious memories one son, Michael Davis, and two daughters, Gacia (Darron, Sr.) Russell, LaShawna Wright; four brothers, Lawrence (Cheryl) Hawkins, Jr., Reginald Hawkins, Rodney Hawkins, Brian (Barbara) Hawkins, all of Memphis, Tennessee; two sisters, Lonnie (Harry) Walker of Olympia Fields, Illinois, Wanda (Winston) Bridgeforth, of Memphis, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Darron “DJ” Russell, Jr., Dalyn Russell, Cadence Russell, Dylan Russell, and Caelynn Russell; six nephews, two nieces, cousins and extended family and friends. Constance had a host of adopted children who considered her as their mother.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

(Phillippians 1:21)

The Order of Service

Procession. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Family of Evangelist Missionary Constance Farmer

Scripture Reading

Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elder Adrian Smith

New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elder Shun Clarke Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apostle Kevin Davidson The Dominion Church Musical Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebration Choir Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Family & Friends (3 Minutes, please) Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minister Shae Norman Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Missionary Patricia Jackson Missionary Board President, Greater Community Temple Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalmist Alexcia Goodwin Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lady Zan Davidson The Dominion Church Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebration Choir

Silent Reading of the Obituary Musical Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebration Choir Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop Brandon B. Porter General Board Member of the Church of God in Christ Jurisdictional Prelate, Tennessee Central Jurisdiction Recession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Family of Evangelist Missionary Constance Farmer

Acknowledgment In the midst of our grief, the family of Evangelist Missionary Constance L. Farmer wishes to thank our many friends for their loving and generous expressions of remembrance during our time of bereavement. Your acts of comfort and prayer have sustained us and reminded us of God’s mercy and grace. Thank you to Sis. Clarretha Bowser, who, despite her own health issues, spent a few nights at the hospital with Constance. May God be as generous in blessing and keeping you.

Active Pallbearers

John F. Carson Shannon Lewellen

Kolan Robinson Arthur Howell

Reginald Williams

Honorary Pallbearers

Lawrence Hawkins, Jr. Reginald Hawkins

Brian Hawkins Rodney Hawkins

Christopher Taylor Darron Russell, Sr.

Interment

Northridge Woodhaven Cemetery 6755 Highway 51 North s Millington, Tennessee 38053

Professional Services Entrusted To

M. J. Edwards Funeral Home 4445 Stage Road s Memphis, TN 38128 s (901) 791-9700