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Aunt Eleanor Wade Goins . . . In Loving Memory

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But the fruit of the Ruach is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Ruach, let us also walk by the Ruach. Let us not become conceited—provoking one another, envying one another. – Galatians 5:22-26, TLV

It has been years since I last saw Aunt Eleanor, which was on January 13, 2007. She was back in Wilkes-Barre on that day to say her final goodbyes to a sister who helped raise her – my Mom, Lucille Wade-Drayton.

The last thing I heard my Mom say about Aunt Eleanor was how powerfully she prayed for Mom. This prayer happened some weeks before Mom died peacefully in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. So, what stands out the most when I think about my Aunt Eleanor, is that she was an evangelist, a pulpit preacher, and a prayer warrior.

She also was very sweet and soft-spoken, and these two things I realized about her when I saw her on January 13, 2007.  While I was sitting in Mount Zion Church’s multipurpose room – where the family had gathered before my Mom’s homegoing service started – Aunt Eleanor came close to me, commented on how much I looked like my Mom, told me she had heard some great things about me during her frequent talks with my Mom, told me how sorry she was about my loss, and gave me a big hug and a sweet kiss on my right cheek.

Most of what I know about my Aunt Eleanor I learned from my Mom because my aunt lived in Chicago while I was growing up in Wilkes-Barre, so I rarely saw her. Nevertheless, I do have some things that I liked the most about her because they are things we have in common.

The first thing I like about Aunt Eleanor is how deeply she loved YeHoVaH. As I already mentioned, she was a preacher and an evangelist; however, what I recently learned is that she preached the Gospel of Yeshua every 4th Sunday, and she evangelized on the streets wherever she went, up until the end of her life. That information inspired me, as I am a preacher and evangelist, too.

Like me, Aunt Eleanor also experienced the loss of a child. She lost her son, Franky, in 2013, and I lost my son, Ade, in 2017. But what is most important is that none of her losses kept her from doing what YeHoVaH called her to do. It is my prayer that someone one day will say the same thing about me.

“Godly Woman” is the poem that I have dedicated to my Aunt Eleanor who was a godly woman. I finished writing this poem just a few minutes before I posted it here. This poem is my tribute to an aunt I rarely saw or spoke to, yet I know more about her than I know about my aunts I did see and did talk with more.  The poem I wrote is as follows:

            Godly Woman
 
 
Some people you can know for years,
Yet not know the real them;
Other people you can know of but never
Spend much time with them,
Yet know their spirits and their souls.
 
Aunt Eleanor is an old soul who displayed
Wisdom and special talents in her youth;
Her sage-like qualities put her in a world
Of her own – peerless vision mom noticed
About her when she was just a teenager,
Exhibiting a special talent – an empathetic
Flair to connect with people – spirituality
Too hard to ignore, as was her giving gift.
 
She consoled others even when she hurt,
She lifted her head and walked in turmoil;
She spoke constant words of wisdom – not
Malice, or envy, or gossip, or resentment;
She rejoiced in YeHoVaH with a grateful
Spirit and joyful one that inspired women
Like me – her niece – who saw in my aunt
Strength to carry others’ burdens, courage
To take the fall for someone else’s misdeeds,
Love to pray powerfully and compassionately
For others with heavy-laden heart, gentleness
To admire other women and compliment them
Genuinely, humility to admit she was wrong or
Admit she needs help, peace to help her endure
Evil words and actions from haters, kindness
To be friendly and considerate to everyone,
Faithfulness to be generous enough to bless
Others with the things she needs, patience
To wait on YeHoVaH’s Promises, joyfulness
To praise and worship YeHoVaH in times of
Trouble and comfort, and self-control to love
Her enemies and her neighbors as she loved
Herself – and to serve others.
 
Aunt Eleanor’s life typifies that godliness that’s in
People who are so full of The Spirit’s Fruit, Power,
Authority they’re  able to spiritually and faithfully
Walk on water, raise the dead, and feed thousands.
 
-      Composed September 1, 2020

Rest In Peace, Aunt Eleanor!

Lastly, the funeral services for my aunt, Eleanor Wade Goins, will be next Friday, September 11th, at Taylor Funeral Home located at 63 E. 79th Street in Chicago, IL 60619. The wake is at 11am, and the homegoing service is at 12 noon.

Aunt Daisy Mae Wade-Blackwell

04 Tuesday Apr 2017

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Those Who Died in Christ

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. NASB

 

During the evening of April 2, 2017, I learned that one of my mother’s younger sisters died earlier that same day. Even though I was truly saddened by the loss of another one of my mother’s siblings, I rejoice in her homegoing because she is now with the Lord.  

Aunt Daisy was a loving sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Although she had her own children, during my early elementary years, she also was like a mother to me. My Aunt Daisy helped my mother and grandmother with my upbringing. 

For the most part, Aunt Daisy was a quiet private person, just like so many of my grandmother and grandfather Wade’s children were. However, when she did reveal something personal, she always divulged something significant.

When I begin to think about how frequently so many of the family members I grew up with have gone home to be with the Lord, the Holy Spirit soon interrupts my thoughts with His reminder of how close we are to the time of our Lord’s return. Thus, because I know Aunt Daisy loved the Lord and now is safe in His arms—as are my mother, uncles, other aunts, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents—I happily dedicate the following poem, “We’ll Fly Away,” to my family, especially Aunt Daisy’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

 

We’ll Fly Away

Away with Christ we’ll one day fly
When clouds break and He appears
To raise the sleeping true worshippers,
Then catch up those like us—
Still serving Him in the land of the living.

What a glad moment that will be,
To soar on high free of bird or plane’s wings,
Then change in quicker than a blink
Into His promised glorified morally upright,
And enter Heaven to wed our Groom
Who’ll never abandon His own nor cause them pain.

 

~ from My Spirit’s Musings, Chapter 2, page 82

 

There is no doubt that, even though Aunt Daisy is with the Lord, she will be greatly missed by numerous family members and friends. I personally will miss her dearly.

 

Rest in peace Aunt Daisy . . . .

 

OBITUARY:

 

 

Uncle Jesse Wade, Jr.

25 Thursday Aug 2016

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My Uncle Jesse

 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.” ~ Revelation 14:12-13, Berean Study Bible

 

Early this morning, Mountain Standard Time, I learned that my mother’s baby brother, my Uncle Jesse, had died today. My heart is full of sadness, even though my head knows he is in a much better place.  

For as long as I have known him, my Uncle Jesse was a quiet man—a man of a few words. However, when he did speak, he always made plenty of sense and always had my attention.

Uncle Jesse also was a family man. He deeply loved his wife, Aunt Edna, and all of the children they had together.

My uncle also loved the Lord. For as long as I can remember, just like Grandma Ruth Wade, his mother, Uncle Jesse used his incomparable musical talents to glorify God.

Here is a brief tribute to you, Uncle Jesse:

 

I’ve received many blessings
Some great, some small.
One of the greatest blessings
Loved most of all
Is that you were my uncle
From childhood on,
Part of my kinfolk’s circle
From dusk till dawn.

Though my circle is broken
Because God called
You home and I’m heartbroken,
My life’s enthralled
By your life’s great legacy—
Music that stirs
My heart is so heavenly,
Its pulses purr.

~ written August 25, 2016

 

I am missing you already, Uncle Jesse. Rest in peace in Jesus’ arms!

 

UPDATED August 31, 2016

 ~ from the Times Leader

Obituary

Jesse Wade, Jr.

“WILKES-BARRE — Jesse Wade Jr., 83, of Wilkes-Barre, was called home by his Savior Aug. 25, 2016, at his residence surrounded by his beloved wife of 66 years, the former Edna V. Gleaves, and family following a lingering battle with cancer. Homegoing services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Mount Zion Baptist Church, 105 Hill St., Wilkes-Barre. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to service at church. Arrangements entrusted to the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., Wilkes-Barre.”

 

In Loving Memory of Clarence

19 Saturday Jan 2013

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Lucille(Wade) Drayton Laid to Rest in Maple Hill Cemetery

So we are always confident — we know that so long as we are at home in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord; for we live by trust, not by what we see. We are confident, then, and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and come to our home with the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, CJB

 

The following tribute is to my brother, Clarence William Drayton, Jr., who went home to be with the Lord on January 18, 2013, some six years after our Mom who, on January 13, 2007, experienced being absent from the body and present with the Lord. Our Dad went home to be with the Lord on March 7, 1996.

 

 

I can shed tears because you are gone, or I can smile because you have lived. I choose to smile and rejoice over the life you lived, because you filled my heart with much love and joy.

You were a wonderful son, and you were my amazing oldest brother—the best brother ever! Additionally, you were a terrific father. I am eternally grateful to God for blessing my life with yours. For sure, your presence has enriched my life; indeed, your presence has enriched the lives of every one of our family members. 

You were a true Renaissance man. You also were a true friend to your friends. Then too, you were the life of every party. However, what is most important to me is that you were a loving and kind Christian man—one of the most helpful and caring souls I know.

Even though there is an emptiness caused by your absence, I console myself with the joy of knowing that you left us for that utmost beautiful and best place—God’s Heaven. I also console myself with the joy of knowing that you now are where there is endless peace and everlasting love. Moreover, it is extremely comforting to me just to know that you no longer suffer from the pain and sickness which took over your body.

Dearest Clarence, although I know that I will see you again, I want you to know that you always will be remembered. I never will forget your warm smile, your infectious laughter, your timeless wisdom, your remarkable intelligence, your notable ingenuity, your tender compassion, your encouraging kindness, your giving spirit, and your sensible attitude. For these and other reasons, you will be greatly missed by me, and no doubt greatly missed by everyone who has ever known you!!

Rest in Peace, Clarence . . .

Your sister, Nadine

The full obituary:

  Name:
Clarence W. Drayton, Jr.

Dates:
Birth date: February 14, 1948
Death date: January 18, 2013

Obituary:

PALMETTO FLORIDA-Clarence W. Drayton Jr. 64, of Palmetto, FL, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Jan. 18, 2013 at Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton, FL.

He was born on February 14, 1948 in Eden, NC, a son of the late Clarence W. and Geraldine Drayton. He was a graduate of LCCC for Computer Technology. He was formerly employed by PC Doctors and Clearbrook Inc. where he designed their websites. He was also a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 18 years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandfather Henry Drayton; his sister Hazel Drayton; uncles Douglas Drayton and Lorenzo Drayton; grandmother Clara Hampton-Drayton; grandson Austin Drayton and step mother Lucille Wade-Drayton.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Lynn Carter-Farmer, Wilkes-Barre; Christine Drayton, Wilkes-Barre; Estelle Morris, Plains; Clarence W. Drayton III and his wife Amy Drayton, Wilkes-Barre; his wife Mary Drayton, Edwardsville; long time companion Sandy McCartney, FL; sisters Nadine Drayton-Keen, AZ; Vanessa Johnson and her husband Terry Johnson, Wilkes-Barre; brothers Richard Drayton, Wilkes-Barre; Eugene Drayton, Wilkes-Barre; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; God Daughter Kerry Bassett, Wilkes-Barre; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4pm on Saturday February 16, 2013 at Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home Inc. 456 S. Main Street. Wilkes-Barre. Friends may call 3-4pm.
Visitation:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, Inc. (Wilkes-Barre) 465 South Main Street Wilkes-Barre PA 18701
Service:
3:00 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, Inc. (Wilkes-Barre) 465 South Main Street Wilkes-Barre PA 18701

Letting Go (for Aniya)

15 Saturday Dec 2012

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TheDrayton/Wade Family Members At Lucille Wade-Drayon's Funeral righteous person perishes, and nobody gives it a thought. Godly men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous person is taken away from the evil yet to come. ~ Isaiah 57:1, CJB

 

 

Back in 2003, a friend and colleague asked me if I would write a poem for her that communicates what she wants to say at her goddaughter’s untimely funeral. That poem is this blog entry, and as readers can see this poem was dedicated to Aniya, my friend and colleague’s goddaughter.

However, after the tragedy that happened yesterday at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, I now would like to offer this poem as a tribute to the 20 innocent small children who were slaughtered. I also would like to offer this poem as a word of comfort to every family, friend, and loved one this tragedy has affected.

 

 

Who can understand why all too soon

A child leaves this world before her bloom?

Seeking to know His plan, some reason why

Their beautiful daughter must suffer and die;

With a poured-out heart they tell God their pain

Of having experienced sunshine, but now rain.

 

They say:  We want to hang on to her and tighten our grip,

But it seems the tighter we hold the more she will slip

From this life with us, we briefly came to know.

And then they hear Jesus bidding them to let her go,

To loosen their grip so He can help them understand

That even their child’s life best fits His Divine plan.

 

They ask Him:  Ease our pain, cause our confusion to cease.

He kindly grants their request, when their hold they release,

And place her into His nail-pierced hand full of might,

Having all power to see them through this darkest midnight.

 

They had clung too tightly, so let go they must

And cling instead to their steadfast faith:  “In God we trust.”

 

~ from True Devotion: A Poetic View Of The Consuming Fire Of Total Praise, Worship, And Obedience (2006)