CELEBRATION AND MEMORIAL SERVICE

FOR

Elizabeth Goggans Hampton

Hamilton United Methodist Church

Hamilton, Alabama

July 20, 2000

Introduction: Reverend Keith Pope , Pastor

Witness Reverend Zeke Hazeldon, Former Pastor

EULOGY/SERMON

The Reverend Dr. Eldridge E. Fleming, Friend

Hi! Glad you are here. We have come today to pay honor and respect to our friend, Elizabeth (Liz) Goggans Hampton. You are a large number and she would be pleased. Thank you for coming.

I bring greetings and words of consolation from Bishop Robert (Bob) Fannin of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. It so happens that Bishop Fannin is a Study Leader and teacher at the United Methodist Womens School of Christian Mission at Millsaps College and he and I share a bathroom! He knew Liz and wants you, Clyde, and the family to know that he is thinking of you and sends his condolences.

Again, Greetings Friends! We have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Liz Goggans Hampton. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

Today is a very sad day in our lives. Our loss is overwhelming and our emotions are strung to the breaking point. Questions arise that appear beyond answer. Sadness is all around and the fog of un-reality clouds our very consciousness. What is this? Well, let's take a look.

First, it is a tragedy. For here is one who was full of life a few weeks ago and today lies still. Here is one who longed for activities which stimulate the body and mind and bring joy, but these have ceased. Here lies one who loved and tested and probed the universe and that happens no more. Indeed, it is too quiet in here today.

As has been spoken by Brother Keith and Rev. Hazeldon, Liz was very bright and intelligent. She was quick to learn and dedicated to learning things. As was said whatever she was given to do or volunteered to do, she did it with full thrust and to completion. That we will miss.

Second, it is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to review what has been and speculate on the future. In this realm, opportunity, Liz thrived. As we review perhaps you will see her in a little different light and you will be glad you came. Let's look at the life we celebrate.

Liz was born an only child, but her cousin was like a sister to her. Somehow she developed relationships that made her as close as a sister to many through her life. There were times of loneliness for her and even sadness. But, as with all things, there are advantages as well as disadvantages. When she and her husband, Clyde, were to retire and move back to Hamilton she learned how to draft the plans for their home. Even went and took college courses to be sure she did it accurately. If you have been in it (or if you were her builder, who may be here today) you know what a spacious and elegant place it is. As an only child the inheritance was hers and she used it well. She prepared well to use it.

Which leads me to her intellectual ability. Certainly you children have proven that intelligence begets intelligence as you got a double dose of it genetically, from both your father and mother. Liz was very intelligent. Intelligence searches, probes, questions, analyzes, synthesizes and presents an organized whole. Liz was always looking at everything in that fashion. In the last six or eight years she was especially on a journey of faith. There she searched, probed, questioned, analyzed and synthesized. She was still at it to the last.

One of the great joys of my life has been watching people grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. Certainly Liz grew spiritually. There were some things in the traditional religious belief systems of some churches that did not fit with her rational intelligence. But she was as faithful with her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as anyone.

Liz would make her position known on issues if given the opportunity with enough time. However, she was more likely to sit quietly among strangers and tolerate their positions rather than create a stir or confrontation. She did not take anything on blind faith alone. She studied it first, ran it through the quadrilateral of John Wesleyan and United Methodist tradition and then put it in her belief system if it met all the requirements.

She shared with me her first meeting with Brother Keith. According to her report, and he confirmed it today, she introduced herself as the resident Liberal in this congregation and he assured her he was the new resident Conservative. Her comment to me later was, "I think I'm going to like him!" And in the last few weeks he has gotten to know her during her illness and death.

In the last several months, she talked about her closeness with God. She was so excited about this. At last she understood what it meant to be in fellowship with Christ and the Holy Spirit. The joy almost overwhelmed her. I am one who has emphasized and tries to stay in constant fellowship with Christ. Wherever I go I am aware of Christ with me. So to pray is no problem, I simply talk with Christ who is already there. That fellowship she came to know and was so excited about it. At last, she was sure of it and was at peace and full of joy.

Liz was one who was organized and prepared for coming events. This was no less true of her recent surgery than other things. She knew there were risks she was taking. I want to share a note I received from her on June 14.

Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 10:43 PM

Eldridge,

These days of accomplishment are so enjoyable. Today was one of those -- and tonight continues to be such. Lots of organizational work done to computer files. Have completed moving a copy of the writing to floppies -- actually 3 copies in case of defects -(as all of us know, sometimes there are defects in the files copied) and will give them to you on Saturday, along with a notarized letter of intent. (The Saturday she referenced was the day of Clyde's birthday party. What a great party at Dale's and Danny's!)

.......

(Then she said) Feel certain you will be able to recreate the 6-11 sermon ending and really look forward to adding it to that part already done. -

Must go. Still a few things to get done tonight. Maybe another shot at the renegade file.

Liz

Most of you would not know that Liz transcribed all my sermons for the last six years. She did a beautiful job. She and Clyde and Joe Hall, along with my son and his family had attended the service at the New Hope Presbyterian Church. The church has a tape ministry and recorded the service. Except when I went long. On June 11, I told my story of call to ministry and I went long. The tape had cut off and part of the story was omitted. She wanted that on the tape and I was able to recreate it.

Then on the day before surgery she sent this note:

Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 6:45 PM

Subject: tonight and tomorrow

Eldridge,

Just a few minutes ago I had a call from the hospital with instructions to come in by 7:30 a.m. with surgery to begin no later than 9 a.m. I am much more at ease with that earlier time.

Of course, I would like for you to be there -- even to the point of holding my hand through the entire surgical procedure as you had done through my adventuresome spiritual journey. Without your guidance I don't know where I would be today. Certainly I would not be calmly writing notes and paying bills and trying to get everything of importance wrapped up. Nor would I have been able to recognize the love that has poured out to me. And certainly I would not have been as totally happy and peaceful as I am at this moment. At the time when I was beginning to understand your attitude of peacefulness and contentment, I recall your telling me it doesn't get much better than this? You were so right and on target. It's difficult to describe, but it does feel as if I am being shielded -- or blanketed -- from worry and concern for myself or nervous anticipation. Between now and tomorrow, I will work at putting the family at ease.

-----

Would love to see you -- or talk to you -- for I am always wiser for the experience, but I don't want to cause a problem with your schedule as you get prepared to teach us about Paul and the Corinthians. My goal (is) to attend that S of C M (School of Christian Mission) in Jackson.

As to the disk, it is ready and the family knows and approves of my action. But I will write it out as a protection measure for you.

We're going to run out for a fast bite of supper and will be home in a short while. Will talk later.

Liz

(Please note that on June 20, the morning of Liz' surgery, Martha and I left for Blackstone, Virginia, to train for the School of Christian Mission to be held in Jackson, July 19-22. Consequently I was not able to visit her the morning of her surgery.)

In this note she talks of her faith, mentioned each of their children and their interactions. What a witness to her faith and trust! She was ready for whatever was to come.

Third, this is a celebration! Life doesn't end with our physical death. In Jesus Christ there is hope, promise, a future. We speculate that Liz is enjoying some reunions. Each one can name those that welcomed her. Friends who have gone on before. Family who are there. And, of course, Jesus Christ, our Lord. All of these are welcoming her home. So, even though we are sad and are having trouble imagining how we can go on without her, she is going on fine. May God continue to bless her.

One more thing I want to share with you. Six months ago yesterday I received the following note:

Wednesday, January 19, 9:45 p.m.

Eldridge,

We've just returned home from a party, a grand party for a grand lady! A grand lady who deserved nothing less! Picture in your mind one of the Hampton open houses, double the attendance figures, and you will see the celebration that just took place. Amid a seemingly never-ending bower of blossoms stood a barely-pink casket upon whose satin cushions rested the earthly remains of one beautiful and much loved lady. At first glance our breath was taken away by the miracle we saw. Gone were the lines of suffering that had creased her brow into gullies of ashen skin that had worsened with each of her living days. Missing were the dark circles that had encircled her eyes, the grotesquely swollen hands and face, and the distasteful smelling sweat-matted hair -- and in their place, we saw a beautiful woman with creamy complexion, slender hands and shining clean, naturally curling silver hair. Those that looked upon her now discarded place of residence were touched with a feeling of gladness and thankfulness that at last, she was free to live as she had for so long deserved! But we knew she had happily discarded that abode and had moved on to something glorious. And as friends and relatives and former caretakers celebrated her earthly life with sounds of laughter and expressions of good will, the honored guest must have finally realized how much she was loved. She was there, no doubt about that, and all of those who carry on her genes were easy to spot. May her legacy continue!

Liz

Those of you here last night might say the same. I look forward to seeing her again in Heaven. May you join us there. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord's Prayer

Committal, United Methodist Book of Worship, page 155.