Stephen Ring Funeral
Funeral • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning everyone and thank you for being here today.
My name is Dustin Alley and I’m the Lead Pastor here at Liberty Baptist Church.
We are here this morning to celebrate the life of Stephen Ring.
In this moment today may not feel like a good day. Today will feel like a sad day. A day of mourning, a day remembering, and day of sharing hugs and tears with loved ones.
That’s ok. Today is the day that I pray, in the days and years to come, you can look back on and see it as the day you gain closure as you process the loss of Stephen in your life.
To the friends of the family that have gathered here, thank you for coming. As a person who has interacted with others who have lost family members, I can tell you sometimes, you may not know what to say. Your presence here shows your love and support for this family.
I was able to meet with the family this last week and talk about Stephen for a bit. I did not know him personally but after meeting with them it became apparent he was a man I would have like to have known.
He grew up in new Britian where he, Robin, and Jo Jo would slide down walnut Hill Park and go play baseball on every field there.
He enjoyed going fishing and swimming growing up and never lost that kid like spirit. Ms. Bonnie told me he was a big kid for all his life.
In High School Stephen met the woman of his dreams but didn’t know it yet. He and Mrs. Bonnie dated during those years but it wasn’t until 23 years later that they would find themselves together again.
Stephen went off to the army and spent time in England and at some point after his return took a spur of the moment road trip to Florida with his friend Dino where he spent a little time and Dino, to my understanding, still lives there to this day.
He reconnected with mrs. Bonnie and they have spent many happy years together. Not perfect, but happy. When I asked Mrs. Bonnie to tell me about Stephen she said, he was her everything.
From what I heard about Stephen he was a man that loved his family, did the best that he could, and enjoyed life.
Brittany and Nikki were not his biological children but both expressed their love for him and his love them. Nikki said she had Stephen wrapped around her finger.
She recounted a story of them going to the park when Mrs. Bonnie didn’t know and in pushing Nikki doing an “underdog” she flipped out of the swing. His first response after determining she was ok was “don’t tell your mom”
He taught Brittany to drive and Brittany taught Nikki.
They both said he was like a dad in that he was always there for them.
Especially something that needed to be fixed…he would always have duct tape ready.
All of the family talked about his love for the kids and grandkids.
He was known for greeting them with “Hey kid.”
Love his grandson kayden but always insisted on being called Stephen.
While is loves for his children and grandchildren was apparent, I believe I heard the most about his love for Bonnie. The way he cared for her when she was diagnosed and going through difficult times. He was there for her.
It was expressed to me that some may have had negative thoughts toward Stephen but they were undeserved. He wasn’t a perfect man, none of us are, but he was a man that was there for those who depended on him and he did his best.
Bonnie, Robin, Brittany, Nikki, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and any other family here today…You know Stephen loved you, you know his life had an impact on you and others in a positive way, today I pray that you will remennisce about Stephen, I pray you will cry over Stephen’s life, and continue in your grief process to one day look back and memories that made you cry, will make you laugh as you remember the big kid Stephen was, his love for each of you, and the impact he had on each of your lives.
Comments from friends and family
Comments from friends and family
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.