Monday, September 26, 2011

Soon after my last post, everything changed. I got a phone call from my family, moma may only live 2 or 3 more days.
I was in Arkansas holding her hand 24 hours later, knowing each breath could be her last.
On Sunday, September 18th at 4:04 p.m. She took that last breath, and left behind a legacy of love and service to Jesus Christ for her husband, three children, and 10 grandchildren.
She is now in heaven with family and so, so many dear friends rejoicing and praising Him still.

Garon Vian Gabriel Bormann

Stuttgart, Ark.
Garon Vian Gabriel Bormann, 66, of Stuttgart, passed away Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. She was a pastor’s wife, Christian School teacher and wonderful mother and grandmother.
Garon was born Sept. 30, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas to Melvin and Vivian Gabriel.  She attended Jefferson High School in San Antonio before graduating with a degree in Religious Education from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas where she met her husband. The couple first served a United Methodist circuit in Truscott/Foard City, 100 miles north of Abilene.
Garon and Thomas married on Aug. 21, 1964 in San Antonio and moved to Wilmore, Ky., to attend Asbury Seminary. While Thomas served as assistant pastor of the Winchester UMC, Garon served as director of religious education. They came to Stuttgart in early December 1966 after the birth of their first child.
A few years were spent serving the United Methodist circuit churches of Hunter’s Chapel in Casscoe, Shiloh in Crockett’s Bluff, Roe, Ulm and Hamilton before the establishment of Grand Prairie Evangelical Methodist Church in 1971. She at times served as pianist and loved to sing.
The Stuttgart church added a private school in 1980 where she taught for about 15 years.
The Bormanns were chosen North Arkansas County Farm Family of the Year in 1996 upon the death of Garon’s father-in-law, Robert Bormann.
Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Rev. Thomas Bormann; three children, Beth (Daniel) Paulsen of Waverly, Iowa, Mark (Christina) Bormann and Jeannie Bormann of Stuttgart; 10 grandchildren, Jared Bormann, Hope Herald, Mary Heather Herald, Gracie Bormann, Jedd Paulsen, Hannah Herald, Austin Bormann, Russ Paulsen, Holly Herald and Abby Bormann (all ages 9 to 15); a brother, Dane (Kathy) Gabriel of Boerne, Texas;  and three in-laws, Elizabeth Williams of Atlanta, David (Lidia) Bormann of Trieste, Italy, and Marianne (Robert Apfel) Gabriel of Lindfield, Australia.
Cousins Dr. Larry Waldrip and Rev. Larry Taylor of Texas remained friends into her adult years.
There are 12 nephews and seven nieces of whom she is very proud — Texans Ethan, Kacey, Darren, Col. Scott, Gray and Dean Gabriel; Erin Gabriel and Ashley De Sousa, of Australia; Judge Dibrell, Darryl and David Waldrip of Texas; Georgia natives, Rick and Randy Smith and Robin Greene; and Miriam, Rebekah, Sarah, Deborah and Ivan Bormann of Italy.
Garon was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Lt. Col. Dale Gabriel. Two young female cousins, Glynda Ann Smith and Suellen Evans, were lost in tragic accidents in 1965 and are awaiting her in heaven.
A special thank you goes out to the Hospice Angels nurses of Pine Bluff, Mitzi London, and aides Linda Williams, Diane Hall, Pat Scott, Michelle and Katherlene Fells who have provided round-the-clock support for the past six weeks. Great appreciation is also expressed to Dr. Eddie Hord, Dr. Beverly Beadle and the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Family members will be gathered at the Bormann home at 1809 Coker-Hampton Drive in Stuttgart. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Turpin Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 in the Sanctuary of Grand Prairie Church located at 21st Street and Park Ave. in Stuttgart. Burial service will follow in Lone Tree Cemetery Chapel.
Memorials are requested to Grand Prairie Church, P.O. Box 728, Stuttgart, AR 72160.
A Word of Testimony
“For Me to Live in Christ”
Some of the greatest joys in Garon’s life were seeing and helping children and adults come to know, love and live for Jesus Christ. In Chapter 3 of John, Jesus says “Except a man be born again (spiritually), he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In John, Chapter 14, Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life; No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Her final word to those she and Christ love would be “Come to Jesus.”

5 comments:

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

What a beautiful legacy she leaves behind because of her life of faith that pointed to Heaven.

So sorry that you have to continue this earthly journey without her Beth...love you.

Ronda White said...

Beth,
You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine loosing my mom, but I do know that God is good and that He will give you the grace (which He lavishes on us) that you will need for each day!
Love you,
Ronda

Cathy said...

I'm so very sorry Beth. You are my prayers.

Janet said...

I'm so so sorry for your loss. It hurts in my heart just hearing this news for you and your family. The picture of your Mom is just amazing. I thought it was you at first.

Praising God you all live with the blessed truth that you will see your Mom again.

Earth has NO sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Praying for you!

Reba said...

Oh, how I longed to be there to celebrate her life and legacy. My heart was there even when my body could not be. Thinking of you and your family often.