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Reflections: In Memory of Shelba Couch On Her Birthday
Written by Karen Brewer, Publisher
Publisher@TheChristianViewMagazine.com
Shelba and Rev. H.C. Couch in a photograph I took on March 18, 2012 at a Pastor Appreciation dinner following the morning service at my grandparents' church. After being at my own church for three and a half hours that morning, I drove to my grandparents' church and heard Preacher Couch preach.
I’m remembering a wonderful, godly lady and friend, Shelba Couch, my late grandparents’ Pastor’s wife, on her birthday, February 5.
Shelba entered heaven on April 10, 2015, following a battle with cancer. Two months earlier, on her birthday, I called her while I was driving to a funeral service for Rev. Jack Hester’s sister Eunice. Shelba told me, “Your grandmother always called me on my birthday.” After the funeral service, I called her again and asked if she was feeling well enough for company, and I had a good visit with her and family that evening. That would be her last birthday here on earth.
Just a couple of weeks earlier, her cancer doctor had given a prognosis for close to a year. She would pass only two months later. I wrote after her passing: Whatever the number of years may be, life on earth is never long enough, but we have the hope of eternal life with our Saviour and our friends and family who knew Him. May her loved ones’ precious memories of her comfort them until they see her again in heaven.
The service celebrating Shelba’s life was a perfect tribute to her. Everyone who had a part in the service, whether in speaking or with music, including Preacher Couch, their son, and their grandsons, and everyone else, had a wonderful role in honoring her. Also touching was Shelba’s part in her own service, as a recording was played of Shelba playing on the piano the song “Because He Lives.” As the verse that Preacher Couch read at the graveside says, Jesus has said that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Shelba will definitely be missed by all who have been blessed to know her through the years. Words are inadequate to express the utmost respect I have for this sweet lady, an encouraging person with a Christ-like spirit. I’m grateful that we have the hope of seeing her again one day.
Shelba entered heaven on April 10, 2015, following a battle with cancer. Two months earlier, on her birthday, I called her while I was driving to a funeral service for Rev. Jack Hester’s sister Eunice. Shelba told me, “Your grandmother always called me on my birthday.” After the funeral service, I called her again and asked if she was feeling well enough for company, and I had a good visit with her and family that evening. That would be her last birthday here on earth.
Just a couple of weeks earlier, her cancer doctor had given a prognosis for close to a year. She would pass only two months later. I wrote after her passing: Whatever the number of years may be, life on earth is never long enough, but we have the hope of eternal life with our Saviour and our friends and family who knew Him. May her loved ones’ precious memories of her comfort them until they see her again in heaven.
The service celebrating Shelba’s life was a perfect tribute to her. Everyone who had a part in the service, whether in speaking or with music, including Preacher Couch, their son, and their grandsons, and everyone else, had a wonderful role in honoring her. Also touching was Shelba’s part in her own service, as a recording was played of Shelba playing on the piano the song “Because He Lives.” As the verse that Preacher Couch read at the graveside says, Jesus has said that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Shelba will definitely be missed by all who have been blessed to know her through the years. Words are inadequate to express the utmost respect I have for this sweet lady, an encouraging person with a Christ-like spirit. I’m grateful that we have the hope of seeing her again one day.
This photograph I took of Shelba and Preacher Couch with my grandmother at my grandmother’s birthday celebration in June of 2012, the year before my grandmother passed to heaven. Shelba was the first person I asked to come, when I invited her and Preacher Couch four months prior to the birthday party. Not only was she my grandmother’s Pastor’s wife, but she also was my grandmother’s friend, and I was blessed and fortunate to call her friend. Cancer cannot take away good memories of good people. And cancer cannot take away eternal life. I feel certain that my grandmother did not miss the opportunity to wish Shelba a Happy Birthday in heaven. I cherish the wonderful memories over the years, and I look forward to the day when we no longer have just memories of good people, but we will see them again in heaven.