Home > Online Memorial >

Emma Albert's Eulogy [written by Bubba Alexander]

I have always felt at times like this there is so little that anyone can say. I don’t believe that words have been invented to fit the feeling that is experienced at a time like this. As Christians we know that Emma Jean is still alive. We believe that in our Father's house there are many mansions. We believe that Jesus prepared a place for Emma Jean. We believe that Jesus has received Emma Jean unto himself. And we believe Jesus when he said: "Where I am there ye may be also."

Do you remember the story in the Bible when Jesus called out to Lazarus who was dead and brought him back to life? From that story it is pretty clear to me that people who have experienced death can still hear folks here. Lazarus, who was dead, heard Jesus. I believe Emma Jean, who has experienced death, can hear us today. I just don’t believe heaven is very far away!

Over the past several days I suppose I have thought about Emma Jean more than I have in all the years that I have known her. We have laughed, and cried, and laughed, and cried. We have allowed thoughts and memories of Emma Jean to fill our minds and our hearts and to consume us—and this is normal. This is good and healthy. Of all the stories and thoughts that I have heard this week, one thing stands out above all the rest, and this is it—simple and not hard to understand: Emma Jean allowed the Spirit of God to invade her and rule her life.

I watch people—there is something about me—I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but I watch folks. I’ve gotta know if it’s real in someone’s life. And to me it is obviously real in Emma Jean’s life. Not only can Emma Jean hear us today, but I believe Emma Jean is waiting for us, even though Emma Jean has passed from this world. She is still Emma Jean!

Remember, Jesus told Mary "Your brother will rise again." Lazarus was Mary’s brother before he passed and Lazarus was still Mary’s brother after he passed. Louise, Emma Jean is still your daughter; Marie and Jack, Emma Jean is still your sister; Ron and Connie, Emma Jean is still your sister-in-law; she is still my cousin. And to Chris Alberts laying up there in that hospital bed, she is still his soulmate. Who she is hasn’t changed a bit—physically she is gone, but even though we will not see her or touch her or hear her laugh, that will only be for a while. And even though a change has occurred and it leaves an emptiness in our lives—even though the separation is real—it is not permanent. We will see her again.

I can only imagine that somehow we will recognize Emma Jean in her glorified body. Maybe we will recognize her voice—after all, we had no problem recognizing it here. She didn’t have to say who she was on the phone—we knew her voice. Maybe we will recognize her smile. We all know folks who can walk into a room and within minutes have everybody mad at each other. Emma Jean could walk into a room full of mad folks, and within minutes, have everybody happy. Maybe when we get there we will recognize her by one of the practical jokes she is so good at. I remember one Christmas she gave out joke gifts to everyone—the funny part was she didn’t think anyone would know who they were from.

Another interesting thought about Lazarus and Jesus: the Bible says that Jesus wept. Why did Jesus weep? I don’t believe Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, because He knew that in a few minutes He would bring Lazarus back to life again on this earth.
I don’t believe Jesus wept because of the sorrow of Lazarus' friends, because Jesus knew that in the raising of Lazarus from the dead, their sorrow would be turned to Joy.
I believe Jesus wept because He felt it necessary to bring Lazarus back to life again—back to this earthly life, back from Paradise to this life.

Emma Jean is in Heaven. She is in Paradise. God Almighty has everything under control.
We have not lost Emma Jean—Praise God, we know exactly where she is!

So what do we do from here? As Christians, I believe we must do as Jesus would. I believe we must continue to follow the example given to us by Emma Jean. I believe we must continue to be the body of Christ. As I stand here and look at us, two things come to mind that are for sure: one is we are going to Miss Emma Jean; and another thing that is for sure, is that one day it will be our turn. On that day will someone be able to stand and say, without any doubt, about the things we are hearing today about Emma Jean? Are we allowing Holy Spirit to invade us as we should?

>>Return to Online Memorial