for Lillie, a prayer
It cannot be done, would not be possible, in my eulogy’s moment, for me to capture the essence of Lillie’s life, so remarkable was she, as Lisa expressed with the 23rd Psalm and as Elizabeth and Bill, Jr. have said; remarkable in so many ways that so few people are. And so, I prayerfully commit her to God, commend her to Jesus as a dedicated, loving, and beloved, faithful Christian soul.
We give God the glory for the life and love of this extraordinary - - daughter, niece, student, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and all that Lillie was:
O God, whose love cannot be measured: Accept our prayers for Lillie as she begins eternal life in the land of light and joy, and fellowship of your saints; we pray in Jesus’ Name.
Lillie Pitts Lloyd brings up the end of a generation so closely linked and part of our Southern heritage, as if the last chapter is now written and read. We mourn, but not reasonably, because faith offers the hope that Lillie was met between Time and Eternity by Rayford, whom she wrote was the love of her life; and Bill, son - - brother, father, uncle - - William Pitts Lloyd, a closer and warmer friend, a more brilliant man of higher integrity, I have never known.
May we say that Lillie’s life was rich and exciting and full - - and gifted, music, she shared her gift of music with others for so many years. You will miss that.
Lillie’s mother died when she was 14 months old, and she was raised by her aunts, who were so loving and protective of Lillie that when her beau, Rayford Lloyd, proposed for the umpteenth time, after so many delays, finally giving her the ultimatum, “Are you going to marry me, or must I get on about my life without you?” she escaped from her aunts for a supposed day away, and Lillie and Rayford eloped, were wed in Birmingham, then back home a young bride too married for even doting spinster aunts to hold her back any longer.
Although Jesus said (Matthew 22:30) that in the resurrection we will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven - - we nevertheless in faith pray to God (and listen closely, this is the theology of my church) - -
“Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that we may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those we love” - -
with faith in that reunion, I see Lillie and Rayford back together to resume their love that was cut short so many years ago. Amen, let it be so, Lord.
For family gathered, and friends, let us bless the Lord for a life so beautifully lived and loved.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend Lillie, our beautiful one. Accept, we pray, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, even (as we all are) a sinner of Jesus’ own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the company of her loved ones and your saints in light. Blessed are you, O Lord our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As Marvin comes back up, I invite you to remain seated for prayer.
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Our Father, who art in heaven …
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Concluding homily at our service honoring, remembering, and celebrating the life of Lillie Pitts Lloyd, 1913 - 2018. The Rev. Tom Weller