Wayne Cornwell
As I begin, I would like to express my sincere sympathy and heartfelt sorrow about Lorena's death to Ross and his family, as I always considered Lorena to be a very dear friend.
I first met Lorena in the summer of 1969, as I was blessed to be an intern for the Presbyterian Church in Hazard, Kentucky. I took a 950 mile bus trip to Hazard, but the good news was I got to live that summer with Ross, Lorena, R.D., Ben, and Robert, who were then 5, 3 & 1.
Little did I know the profound impact Ross and Lorena would have on the rest of my life. My Dad died early in 1970, and because of that I visited often to talk with Ross and Lorena to help me work through my grief of my father dying at such a young age. Through the years that followed, I stayed in touch with Lorena and Ross as I always sincerely appreciated their wisdom, guidance and insight. I will always remember two very wise things Lorena taught me:
1. When you are struggling in life, turn it over to the Lord in Prayer.
2. When you marry, marry someone who shares your value system.
When I think of Lorena, I also think of Ross, and what a great wife she was to him. As we know, the institution of marriage is under attack from all sides today, but Lorena and Ross made it look easy. They really achieved the American Dream. Anyone can have children, but it takes a special woman and man to raise a good, loving, and Christian family. Lorena and Ross married young; stayed married; raised children in the Christian Faith and Love; celebrated 62 years of marriage together; and stayed in love the entire time; and kept Christ as # 1 in their life. May we all strive in our life to have passionate love for our spouse and family the way Lorena loved Ross and their family as they were an awesome inspiration for other couples.
Lorena was a Godly woman who truly felt God's presence each and every day of her life. I remember her telling me that when she was a young girl riding a horse in Allerton, with the wind blowing through her hair, she remembered feeling God's presence all around her. She is one of the few individuals who possessed all the fruits of the spirit as stated in Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That is why she made such a positive influence in all of our lives, as enriched the lives of all who knew her.
When I think of Lorena, this poem entitled "After Glow" comes to mind.
After Glow
by Anonymous
I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave and echo
whispering down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing
times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
During my lifetime I have learned that when people die, they do not want to die alone, and they want to know that their life on this earth was worthwhile and made a difference. Lorena made a BIG DIFFERENCE in the hearts of all the people whose lives she touched. When people saw Lorena, they knew they were seeing a woman who was truly a loving and Godly woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Lorena always treated others with dignity, respect, love and kindness, and anyone who entered the Blount home always felt welcome. To many of us, she was a trustworthy friend who would tell it to you straight without being mean.
There is an old saying, "Some people come into our lives and quickly go...Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts...and we are never ever the same." Lorena stayed for a long while, and we all know that she left footprints on all of our hearts, and we will never ever be the same.!!! She enriched the lives of all who knew her through love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Lorena was a Christian model for all of us, as she was a woman of faith, humility, humor, love and one of the most faithful servants of the church. It was apparent everyone loved her, as LORENA's LIFE REALLY MADE A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD!
For the family as I close, please accept my sincere sympathy and heartfelt sorrow about the sudden loss of Lorena, as she was an amazing Godly woman. Lorena's sudden death has reminded us that we do not have the assurance of tomorrow on earth. But we can live every moment and die at any moment in the peaceful assurance of an eternity with God.
Remember when you feel somewhat depressed or extremely sad, you have your extended family, your Church family, your friends, our family, all praying for you during this difficult time. Also, the "One Day at a Time" approach is very helpful during times of grief after the death of a loved one. That approach comes from Matthew 6:34: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
We are much better people for having known her, but we have heavy hearts because we will not see her again in this life. However, in the end, because of her faith, she taught us all that there is life ever after, as she now has her heavenly reward, and we have the satisfaction of knowing she is with the Risen Lord. Lorena lived out what Timothy says in Chapter 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
My prayer for you and your family is that God comforts you and holds you in the Palm of His Hand and that He gives you the strength to continue on, each and every day, through His love and the love and prayers of those around you as you cope with Lorena's sudden death. Hold tight to memories of Lorena for comfort, lean on your friends and the Lord for strength, and always remember how much you are cared about and may the sorrow you feel in your heart be lightened by the love that surrounds you.
THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE IF THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE LIKE LORENA BLOUNT IN IT!!!
In Deepest Sympathy
Wayne Cornwell