On Sunday, June 23, 2013, a band of angels spread their wings and swooped down to reclaim one of their own, Beatrice Gerene Rakes, of Ferrum. Anxiously waiting with open arms and joyful hearts to welcome her to her heavenly home are her parents, Charles and Effie Rakes; her brothers, Marvin Rakes, Clifford Rakes, and a long line of loved ones. Left to cherish her legacy of love are Naomi DeHart, Pauline Spencer, Victoria (Charles) Turman, Bill (Martha Rakes), Lane (Sue Justice) Rakes, Larry Rakes, Vivian Rakes, Linda Rakes and numerous nieces; nephews, and cousins.
Gerene was 18 months old when she was stricken with spinal meningitis which left her with severe physical disabilities. Good mothering, love and devotion enabled her to defy all grim predictions from the medical professional life span of 5 years. We celebrated her 76th birthday on May 22. Although our mother loved all of her children unconditionally, she always felt that caring for her invalid daughter was her purpose in life, her
'calling",
and she mother-henned her from morning to night. After her death on June 7, 1991, Lane and Sue accepted the role of Gerene's subrogate parents and she became Sue's
"baby"
. Sue's
"mothering gene"
switched on and for the past 22 years she has proven that genes have no claim on love. Gerene had a special bond with our mother and with Sue that bound them together in a kind of spiritual union; a force that could be seen and felt but cannot be defined in earthly terms. Gerene was a gift from God and her care was a labor of love. In the 9th chapter of Luke, verse 48, Jesus says:
"Anyone who takes care of a little child is caring for me. And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care of others is the measure of your greatness."
There will be a private (family only) graveside service on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Rakes Cemetery in Patrick County with the Reverend Calvin Hickson officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. Condolences to the family may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.
"Blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 5:8
Published in Roanoke Times on June 24, 2013
Gerene was 18 months old when she was stricken with spinal meningitis which left her with severe physical disabilities. Good mothering, love and devotion enabled her to defy all grim predictions from the medical professional life span of 5 years. We celebrated her 76th birthday on May 22. Although our mother loved all of her children unconditionally, she always felt that caring for her invalid daughter was her purpose in life, her
'calling",
and she mother-henned her from morning to night. After her death on June 7, 1991, Lane and Sue accepted the role of Gerene's subrogate parents and she became Sue's
"baby"
. Sue's
"mothering gene"
switched on and for the past 22 years she has proven that genes have no claim on love. Gerene had a special bond with our mother and with Sue that bound them together in a kind of spiritual union; a force that could be seen and felt but cannot be defined in earthly terms. Gerene was a gift from God and her care was a labor of love. In the 9th chapter of Luke, verse 48, Jesus says:
"Anyone who takes care of a little child is caring for me. And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care of others is the measure of your greatness."
There will be a private (family only) graveside service on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Rakes Cemetery in Patrick County with the Reverend Calvin Hickson officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. Condolences to the family may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.
"Blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 5:8
Published in Roanoke Times on June 24, 2013
On Sunday, June 23, 2013, a band of angels spread their wings and swooped down to reclaim one of their own, Beatrice Gerene Rakes, of Ferrum. Anxiously waiting with open arms and joyful hearts to welcome her to her heavenly home are her parents, Charles and Effie Rakes; her brothers, Marvin Rakes, Clifford Rakes, and a long line of loved ones. Left to cherish her legacy of love are Naomi DeHart, Pauline Spencer, Victoria (Charles) Turman, Bill (Martha Rakes), Lane (Sue Justice) Rakes, Larry Rakes, Vivian Rakes, Linda Rakes and numerous nieces; nephews, and cousins.
Gerene was 18 months old when she was stricken with spinal meningitis which left her with severe physical disabilities. Good mothering, love and devotion enabled her to defy all grim predictions from the medical professional life span of 5 years. We celebrated her 76th birthday on May 22. Although our mother loved all of her children unconditionally, she always felt that caring for her invalid daughter was her purpose in life, her
'calling",
and she mother-henned her from morning to night. After her death on June 7, 1991, Lane and Sue accepted the role of Gerene's subrogate parents and she became Sue's
"baby"
. Sue's
"mothering gene"
switched on and for the past 22 years she has proven that genes have no claim on love. Gerene had a special bond with our mother and with Sue that bound them together in a kind of spiritual union; a force that could be seen and felt but cannot be defined in earthly terms. Gerene was a gift from God and her care was a labor of love. In the 9th chapter of Luke, verse 48, Jesus says:
"Anyone who takes care of a little child is caring for me. And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care of others is the measure of your greatness."
There will be a private (family only) graveside service on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Rakes Cemetery in Patrick County with the Reverend Calvin Hickson officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. Condolences to the family may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.
"Blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 5:8
Published in Roanoke Times on June 24, 2013
Gerene was 18 months old when she was stricken with spinal meningitis which left her with severe physical disabilities. Good mothering, love and devotion enabled her to defy all grim predictions from the medical professional life span of 5 years. We celebrated her 76th birthday on May 22. Although our mother loved all of her children unconditionally, she always felt that caring for her invalid daughter was her purpose in life, her
'calling",
and she mother-henned her from morning to night. After her death on June 7, 1991, Lane and Sue accepted the role of Gerene's subrogate parents and she became Sue's
"baby"
. Sue's
"mothering gene"
switched on and for the past 22 years she has proven that genes have no claim on love. Gerene had a special bond with our mother and with Sue that bound them together in a kind of spiritual union; a force that could be seen and felt but cannot be defined in earthly terms. Gerene was a gift from God and her care was a labor of love. In the 9th chapter of Luke, verse 48, Jesus says:
"Anyone who takes care of a little child is caring for me. And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care of others is the measure of your greatness."
There will be a private (family only) graveside service on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Rakes Cemetery in Patrick County with the Reverend Calvin Hickson officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. Condolences to the family may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.
"Blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 5:8
Published in Roanoke Times on June 24, 2013
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