SWEET NELLIE HAS GONE HOME

(September 26, 1934 – September 16, 2019)

            In keeping with her pre-arranged plans, last Tuesday Nellie Trent’s worn-out body was transported back to her roots - - those rugged, rurual mountains of eastern Kentucky and southwestern West Virginia.  Nellie moved to Warren about six years ago to take up residence with her baby sister, Betty Pascute, and In so doing she became a dear sister to all of us here at the Cortland Church.  Nellie was dedicated to God and to Jesus Christ, and she was deeply in love with both the Bible and the church.  Even when she didn’t feel well, she seldom missed an assembly.  Her person-ality was infectious - - who among us didn’t want to imitate Nellie ‘s kind heart and generous spirit.  She was a precious widow, a widow indeed - -   one who fixed her hope on God, and (continued) in entreaties and prayers night and day (1Tim.5:5).  Many within our church family will miss her phone calls.  If you were absence from a “gathering” due to illness, Nellie was eager to let you know that you were missed!  It was impossible to visit with Nellie and not be encouraged.  She was a bright light in a sometimes-dark world.  Early in life, many calculated that Nellie's life would be short-lived, but she defied the odds and passed from this life just ten days shy of her 85^th birthday.  Her passion for life spanned eight plus decades.

            To say that we will miss Nellie would be a serious understatement.  Her nurturing served to inspire us all to live better lives.  Thankfully, we can still hear her unique voice, for through her faith though she is dead, she still speaks (Heb.11:4).  While we are saddened by her departure, we rejoice that sweet Nellie has gone home to be with her Lord in that beautiful realm above.  As my wife and I left the hospital last Monday around noon, I couldn’t help but think of those meaningful words contained in the last verse of Nellie’s favorite spiritual song (#936 in our current hymnal):

My soul is sick, my heart is sore, My strength renew, my hope restore, Lord, I'm coming home.

Coming home, coming home, Never more to roam, Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home.

                                                                                                                Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ