FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR KRISTY
Milton, here for Kristy:
Kristy's homegoing was glorious. In a future blog I will share a more detailed account of how she went to heaven. Thank you for your continued love and prayers for Julie, Jennifer, grands, family, and me. Here are the arrangements.
Visitation and Viewing: Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Southside Assembly of God, 2118 Kings Ave, Jacksonville, Florida
Funeral Service: Thursday, July 24, 1:30 PM at Southside Assembly of God
Interment: Greenlawn Cemetery
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 1:46 PM
43 comments
43 Comments:
How I wish we lived close enough to come to Kristy's celebration. I am sure others wish the same. Is it possible to video the service and post it? Wish I could give each of you a big hug. In our prayers always.
I,too, won't be able to make the service, living in Toronto, Canada, but my prayers will be with all of you.
Milton,
Tommy and I will be remembering you, the girls, and other family members during this time. We live to far away to attend the funeral but you are close in our hearts. Heavens Flower Garden has another beautiful rose. Our loss is heaven's gain.
Love,
Tommy & Linda Reece
Birmingham, Alabama
Good bye for now my dear friend Kristy. I can't wait for the day when I too get to see His face and hug your neck.
You were a great mentor to me.
thanks, too milton for sharing your love, pain, and Kristy with us. She is proud of you.
Our prayers are still with you as you adjust to the empty spot your fireball has left in your lives.
Kristy and I were members of First Coast Romance Writers together. She will be missed. My prayers are with you and your family.
God bless,
Cheryl Norman
Dear Milton ~ You may remember I moderate an Online prayer chain whose members have been praying for Kristy. With a breaking heart I shared your information about Kristy's earthly death and the beginning of her heavenly life. PamW, one of our members, sent this poem to share.
He Maketh No Mistakes
My Father’s way may twist and turn,
My heart may throb and ache.
But in my soul I’m glad I know,
He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead
For He doth know the way.
Tho’ night be dark and it may seem
That day will never break;
I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him.
He maketh no mistake.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He’ll make,
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.
--by A. M. Overton (1932)
(A. M. Overton was a pastor who lost his beloved wife, and during her funeral, he wrote this incredible poem)
With a heavy heart and many blessings, Bonnie Engstrom
bengstrom@hotmail.com
Milton, our prayers are with you.
Steve and Crystal Mason
Alabama Youth Ministries
My thoughts and prayers join those of the thousands of people who knew her well, and barely knew her at all. A little story by Henry Van Dyke always brings me peace and comfort at times like these. In case you haven't heard it, it goes like this:
"I'm standing on the seashore as a ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beuty and strength. I watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud, just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone says, "There, she is gone."
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as lart in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in ME, not in HER.
And just at the moment when someone else says, "There, she is gone!", there are other eyes on the other side, watching her, other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying."
Loree Lough here, praying that God's peace will change her family's aching hearts in the same way that Kristy's words changed the lives of so many of her devoted readers.
Hallelujah, Kristy, you're HOME!
I also hope that you find a way to video the service. We would love to have a way to be there in a sense, since there is no way for some of us to attend. Even though we may not be there in person we will definitely be there in spirit.
God Bless You all
My thoughts and prayers will be with you during Kristy's service. I know you will be celebrating her life. Many people are richer because of her. I'm one of them.
Nancy Mehl
www.nancymehl.blogspot.com.
Hi, I am Lisa's mom. Lisa and Julie attended college together.
I have read this blog from the day my daughter mentioned it to me. Never missed a day. I shared your ups and downs and yes, even the tears.
Can one be grieving for someone they did not know? I am.
I am sending my love and prayers to Milton, Julie, Jennifer, and the grands.
It is an amazing testament to Kristy's faith and love for family and humanity that so many of us came to know her and the family, if only from afar.
Bless you all in the upcoming days. God will carry you when you are not able to stand alone.
Milton, Ruth and I are praying for you. God bless you friend.
Steve & Ruth Lambert
Milton, you and your family are in my prayers for strength and peace at this time. May our Lord and Saviour be with you and hold you in His loving arms.
Gloria Walters Esterline
My dear precious Milton & Julie and Jennifer,
My heart is heavy and I feel stricken with grief today. We all wanted Kristy to not go away, and that's how we've all prayed. Well, actually we prayed for her healing. TODAY SHE IS HEALED! Today she dances and sings in heaven, and Oh HOW HAPPY SHE MUST BE! It's her loved ones here that suffer the most. She'd never have chosen to leave you and her family. God chose to take her home. But, "In just a little while.." you'll see her once again, in all her radiance. In just a little while, we'll all be going home.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I feel so close to all of you, though we've never met. I send hugs and love to each of you. I will pray and continue to pray for God's supernatural strength, Milton. GOD IS SO GOOD.....Kristy's favorite will always be embedded in my mind, because He truly is.
Love and Prayers,
Cathy (Tennessee)<><
How I wish I could come, but the miles keep me away. I also wish you could see all the memories being shared about Kristy on the ACFW loop and the forum. She will never be forgotten, and her testimony lives on.
Dear Bro Milton & girls,
Can one's heart be heavy & light at the same time? I grieve for your loss of one so dear! Her presence was so great in your lives that the void will be overwhelming, at times. She will be greatly missed by the thousands of lives she has touched in her short life here on this earth! Yet, my heart is glad for her! She is suffering NO MORE! In my heart's eye, I saw her dancing, whirling around in utter joy, throwing back her beautiful red head,her lovely face upwards, hands in the air, singing praises to her Lord & Savior, the One she has longed to see face-to face! She can see you & although, she is not experiencing any more sorrow, she knows YOU are in pain. She longs for the day when you will come to where she is & we know it will not be long! Our prayers continue for you, as the plans are laid out for the celebration of her wonderful life. We will be there with you tomorrow and Thurs. If we can be of help to you, please let us know! God bless you with peace & strength! We love you very much! Love & blessings, Sylvia & Mark Thomas*
Milton and family,
Glen and I are praying for you and the family. We send our love.
Bev & Glen Jones
Ft Myers, FL
I am very sorry for your loss.
Pastor Dykes and family,
My heartfelt prayers go to you for the great loss of Kristy from your lives. May you be comforted by your many special memories of times with her, and the knowledge that you will be with her forever in what amounts to the blink of an eye on God's timetable.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. This journey has been wrenching--and a blessing in so many ways. I know you rejoice that Kristy is healed and with her Savior in heaven. I also know the pain of loss here on this earth, and I'll be lifting you and all your family up before our great Comforter.
Kristy will be missed in ACFW! I loved reading her upbeat posts. I first met her back in 1999 at the Florida Christian Writers' Conference and KNEW she'd have books in print someday!
Instead of her usual, "Greetings, from sunny Florida," now she'll greet us with, "Greetings, from Glorious Heaven!"
Love and many heartfelt prayers,
Michelle Shocklee
Kristy was one of the first I met when attending a AWSA conference several years ago,and I was struck by her friendliness, openness, and beautiful smile. In a few short seconds, her radiance for Christ impacted my life. She will be greatly missed by her AWSA sisters.
We are praying for you and your family as you adjust to her "change of address." Your great loss is heaven's gain.
With sincere sympathy and prayers,
Fran Sandin
AWSA sister from Texas
Milton and family, what a blessing to be able to share Kristy's service via video. Either way, I'll be there in spirit.
Oh how I wish I could be there tomorrow and Thursday to celebrate Kristy's life with you and to give you all hugs. But then, we've been celebrating her life all along in this blog for months!
Like Ane Mulligan said, such fond memories are being shared both on the ACFW loop and on our forum. We're having our own wake for Kristy our dear sister in Christ and writing sister as well.
Are flowers okay or is there a charity money can be donated in Kristy's name too ?
Wow, I just came across this email from Kristy to the loop, on May (I forget already) 2006:
Greetings from Kristy Dykes in sunny Florida!
Somebody asked what to do when you've faced a trauma and can't seem to write, or you're feeling directionless, etc. I was touched by the responses. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Wow, this loop is fantastic. Several things ministered to me, below. Thanks, ACFWers.
I saw Francine Rivers on TBN the other night and enjoyed hearing her story again. Great interview. She said she couldn't write for four years. Once she started writing again, she wrote REDEEMING LOVE! (Are you getting goose bumps like I am?)
1."God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown
him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10
2. So give yourself permission to grieve, and in grieving, pushing anything, making important
decisions, is not wise.
3. All that said, remember that the battle you face isn't just an emotional
or physical battle. It's rooted in the unseen. The enemy of your soul wants
to prevent you from responding to the call of God. He certainly intends to
sabotage or ambush any attempts to write for Him. It may be time to
intentionally thwart the enemy's plans, to write to spite him (if that's
even theologically possible!), and to draw a hedge of prayer protection
around yourself before even attempting to lay fingers to keyboard.
Blank computer screen, be gone in the name of Jesus!
4. What Kristin B. said. She always says the right thing! On every subject.
5. Oh, and Laurie said to journal during this time.
Kristy Dykes, who's off to journal...
********
*Sigh,* that'll be some journal! Praise the Lord.
Dear Milton & Family -
You and Kristy were a wonderful example of faith, stability, and joy in the midst of an awful situation. Our prayers are with you.
Susan J. Reinhardt
I am so sorry for your loss....what an amazing woman and family....
Milton, I returned today from a trip out of town & read the blog for the first time in 3 days. I weep with you for your loss. Heaven is a better place with Kristy there. My husband & I will be remembering you, the girls, grands & the rest of the family. What a blessing you have been.
Clara (Franklin) Oxendine
Heaven is rejoicing for there is one more beautiful angel residing there. God bless you all.
A MS reader
Wish I could make the long trip to see the folks she loved so much. You will all be in my prayers this week.
Dear Bro. Dykes and Family,
May the Lord be with you and uplift you during this difficult time. My daughter called me today to tell me of Kristy's homegoing. At the time Dave and I were on the road traveling to another jobsite to work at and was not able to get to a computer to respond back on the blog or to get any information. But I immediately began to pray for your whole family.
As I was singing and praying and crying my grand daughter began to ask me why was I so upset. How if she was ready to meet the Lord then why was I crying. (Sometimes we get questions that take us aback and we have to take a few moments to think about them.)
So, I started telling her that if I should pass away I didn't want my family to grieve but to rejoice, because I have made it to my reward and my Heavenly father.
But somehow my words did not match my actions. Inside I was hurting for you and your family and your loss, but I was rejoicing for Kristy.
You and your family were blessed to have shared a life with her. Your memories of her and the good times are truly a treasure from the Lord.
We will continue to uplift your family in the coming days that the Lord will continue to give you strength and comfort. God bless you and yours.
The Dave Tanner Family
Bartow, FL
Our thoughts and prayer are with your family. We don't understand, but we have faith in knowing that God is in control.. He is our past, present and future. May God pour out His supernatural peace upon your family.
Scott & Wanda Reese
Jacksonville, Florida
We are praying for all of you.
Much love
Debby (Miller) Clack
Dear Milton & Family,
Zola and I are saddened with your loss. We have valued our friendship with you and Kristi. We knew her to be a vibrant, caring and exciting friend. Our prayer is that the wonderful memories you have of Kristi will flood your heart as the Holy Spirit brings them to remembrance and that a very special measure of God's grace will be yours during this difficult time. We are in Taiwan and will be unable to attend the funeral but our hearts will be with you.
Bob & Zola Hudson
Pastor Dykes- You have been in our prayers. I do love you and appreciate you. You are a MAN of GOD. You and Kristy have inspired us to great things in the Lord. Your lives will live on in ours.
David, Christina, Natalia, Britain Stocker
Our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Kristy was loved by us all.
Rev. Joel & Martha Johnson
Rev. J. Foy Johnson
Rev. Paul & Liz Hale
Our prayers are with you, Milton, and your family. We pray God's comfort and care for all of you. Kristy is well now, and happy, and bringing such joy to friends and family in heaven. She did that so well here, for all of us.
The Coopers, in Colorado
A woman could not ask for more from life than Kristy had. The connection to you & to her children was & still is wonderfull! You can feel it when you meet her loved ones. I am sure it is strong because of her love & devotinon for God. We all have alot we can learn from a life like hers. Thank you so much for inviting us all into your lives & letting us share in your happinesses & your losses. I am glad I have a chance to say to you what is too hard to say in person. All of us at the Barber Shop send you all our love & prayers. PS there are no bad haircuts in heaven!!! Jami
Milton, Girls,Grands, and extended family of one ray of sunshine that is bottled up in Kristy, may her love for you all and Jesus bring the Son's Shine to your hearts at her homegoing.
We too have prayed for you and have been blessed by your sharing via the blog. Thanks Ric and Esther for the update on Kristy's Homegoing. She ran the race well and beat us home.
You all will continue to be in our prayers.
Milton, we would be happy to have you come our way for some R& R and Louisiana gumbo.
Blessings to you all,
Gary and Dee Sapp
I've been following this blog for sometime. I came across it just by surfing on the net. God has used you & Kristy to touch me during a very difficult time in my life. I am forever thankful that God used this blog to teach me many things that I had abandoned. I pray that the Lord keep pouring his blessings on your family.
Glenys Henriquez
From Silver Spring, MD
My heartfelt prayers go out to you and each member of your family. I pray God's peace and comfort-our ever-present help in time of trouble--surround each of you.
Nan S.
Pastor Dykes, Jennifer, Julie, and family,
My name is Linda Smalley (formerly Linda Fox).I attended Bartow 1st while you were the pastors. I came from Terry Roberts church in Hampton, SC. You and your family and the whole church welcomed me. Your family along with Don, Becky and Robin took me in. I am forever grateful for that.
Kristy was such a woman of grace,humility, and kindness. She was an example for me to follow of what a pastor's wife should be. She was accessible not aloof. Now that I am a Pastor's wife, I try to emulate her and the example that she modeled in front of me. My husband, children, my church, and myself has been praying for all of you since I found out about her illness. She has experienced the ultimate healing. I know that you will all miss her, but she is dancing in the streets of gold with her parents and aunts. Oh, what a reunion they're having! Our prayers will be with you.
Marvin, Linda, Leah, & JohnMark Smalley
Post a Comment
<< Home