This is Tony writing. I just wanted to mention a few words about my Grammy who went home to be with Jesus last Friday, April 8, 2011.
Grammy named her daughter Helene after her mother, who was named Helen. We also gave that name to our daughter Ava Helene, almost 3 years ago when she was born.
She was one of the most amazing people that I have ever met in my life. She had more smiles inside her then you would ever think possible. Even when I knew that she wasn't feeling well or was in some pain, she would let the smiles, laughter and jokes burst forth with greater measure.
I have been looking at the above photo for awhile tonight. I miss her. I am so happy that she is with Jesus though. I smile when I think about the fact that the next time that I see her, we will get to dance together.
This verse has special meaning to me tonight. "For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:14
All of our hope lies in the resurrection of Christ. Just as Jesus defeated death and rose again, so will those who have fallen asleep in him be raised to be with him. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
And have you ever noticed that term, "asleep in him?" Doesn't that change everything? William MacDonald said "Knowing that it is merely the Lover of our souls giving sleep to the bodies of His beloved ones robs death of its terror."
So there you are Grammy. Asleep in Jesus. The Bible says that "to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord." I know that you are with him now and as hard as it is for me to believe, I know that he loves your smile even more then we do.
Below, I wanted to include a few words about her that my Nana put in the
local newspaper.Minnie Bastain Minnie "Betty" Bastian, 97, passed away at her home in Bostwick, Friday, April 8, 2011.
She was born in Williamsport, Pa., the oldest of 13 children born to Helen and Clyde Ohnmeiss. She met her husband, Samuel "Sam" at a bread factory in Williamsport where they worked. They married in 1931. In 1953, Sam began work as a Tech. Rep. for Link Aviation causing them to live in many different cities, including Fairbanks, Alaska. After leaving Link Aviation, they moved to Albany, Ga. They celebrated 56 years together before Sam passed away in 1987. They had two children, Robert "Jack" Bastian, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 47, and Helene Foltis who lives with her husband, Constantine "Connie" in Bostwick. In 1996, Betty moved to Bostwick to live with them.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory along with her daughter and son-in-law, three sisters, Vivian Heller of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Maxine Loudenslager and Ninabelle Aikey of Williamsport, Pa.; eight grandchildren, due to being able to locate a grandson, she is known to have over 14 great-grandchildren, over 19 great-great-grandchildren, one great-great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Betty spent most of her adult life as a mother and housewife. She enjoyed cooking and baking, crocheting and making jewelry. She and her husband traveled to campgrounds along the Gulf. Upon returning home, they spent many hours making seashell people and animals from the shells they found. They were members of St. John Lutheran Church in Albany and were active in the "Third Stagers" seniors group.
After moving in with her daughter and son-in-law due to bad health, she was unable to attend St. John Lutheran Church of Palatka but was added to the shut-in list and had frequent visits from the pastors. From November 2010 to March 2011, she was in the Palatka Health Care Center. Wherever she went, she spread love and joy with her friendly and happy attitude. In return, she received love and affection from so many people she came in contact with.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka with Pastor Rick Freese Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until the time of services at 7 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16, in Floral Memory Gardens in Albany, Ga., where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and son.
