A Pearl

ROACH, PEARL "GRANNY" LUCILLE CLABOUGH - age 86 of Knoxville went home to Glory July 2, 2008. She always said she "loves ALL of her children." Preceded in death by husband, Joel Evert Roach; daughter, Pauline George; parents, Ernest & Polly Clabough, several brothers & sisters. Survivors: daughter, Betty Lou Fuller; son & daughter-in-law, Joel E. & Danna Roach; grandchildren: Judy & husband Rick Hyder, Tommy & wife Charlotte Haun, Tim & wife Rhonda Haun, Donna & husband Roger McDonald, Pamela & husband Michael Scott, Kristi & husband Terry Wilhite, Joel N. & wife Marsha Roach, Brenda Nasser, Randall & wife Sommer George; 18 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Edward Clabough, Ray & wife Shelba Clabough, many special friends & extended family. Service 12 noon Saturday West View Wesleyan Church at 3224 Joyce Ave. Pastor Dan Mayhle officiating. Interment to follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers: grandsons and great grandsons, Joel "Joey" Roach, Randy George, Channing McDonald, Matthew Sparks, Jonathan Scott, Wesley Scott. Honorary pallbearers, Tommy & Tim Haun. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to West View Wesleyan Church. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 pm Friday at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City. Published in the Knoxville News Sentinel from 7/3/2008 - 7/4/2008.

The family and I made a difficult trip. Husband had no words to describe his loss. He always said he married me so I would talk for him. This was the first time in our marriage, I had to. Granny was the "pearl" of the family. Tough to crack but precious and priceless on the inside. The preacher shared a story from a few years ago when he was talking to Granny. He said with tears coming down her cheeks she told him her body was no good and there was not much she could do for the church but she could make wash clothes. She knitted wash clothes for everyone. I have a stack of wash clothes. Some I never opened, for God had told me long ago I would treasure it. The preacher then pulled out a wash cloth from his pocket. I think everyone in that church began to cry. We all have those wash clothes at our house. He then told of how Granny would send them to the church for them to sell or use for whatever reason. He told how the wash clothes that were sold went to help with missions and went to help with paying a young man's tuition. You see Granny didn't just believe and have faith. She believed also in good works.

James 2:26 (New Living Translation)
26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works

It really is that simple. We think we have nothing to offer our churches, our communities, our neighbor, our families and our friends. It is not about what money we don't have or do have. It is not about what time we have or don't have. It is not about what we can't do or could do. It is about what we want to do. It is about just wanting to do good works because we were bought with a price. A price we don't and didn't deserve. A price we can't and don't have to pay back.

A washrag. What is that reason you are not serving? What is that reason you can't help? What is that reason you are not giving?