Celebration of Life for Eric Labrone Asberry, Thursday, April 8, 2004, 12:00 Noon, Grant Chapel AME Church, 1319 Holcomb Avenue, East Point, Georgia, The Reverend B.A. Hart, Pastor, Officiating, Pastor Richard A. Leaphart, Eulogist, New Hope Christian Ministries

Thursday, April 8, 2004 12:00 Noon
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1319 Holcomb Avenue East Point, Georgia
The Reverend B. A. Hart, Pastor Officiating
Pastor Richard A. Leaphart, Eulogist New Hope Christian Ministries

When I'm gone, release me, let me go, I have so many things to see and do; You must not tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love- you can only guess How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it is time I travel on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must; Then let your grief be comforted by trust; It is only for a while that we must part, So bless those memories within your heart.
I will not be far away, for life goes on, So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you cannot see me or touch meI'll be near. And if you listen with your
heart- you will hear all of my love around you, soft and clear.
Then when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile and "Welcome you Home"

Prelude

Processional

Selection................New Hope Ministries/Grant Chapel AME
Combined Choir d
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The Prayer of Consolation......................Bishop John Drake

Scripture Readings The Old Testament. ................Reverend H. E. Terrell The New Testament. ..................Minister Gary Green

Solo The Tributes (Two minutes, please)

Rickey Dorsey (()
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Synetra Leaphart Deacon Darrell Tucker
Mother Haygood Horace Louis Delores Byrd

Solo ................................................... TaJuannah Ford

, Obituary (Read Silently)

Selection................New Hope Ministries/Grant Chapel AME Combined Choir ~

Eulogy

Pastor Richard A. Leaphart New Hope Christian Ministries

Acknowledgement

Recessional

Postlude

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Eric L. Asberry was born on October 19, 1961 to the parentage of Jeanette Thomas and William Austin.
Most people look upon death as a dark and gloomy thing without one redeeming quality; but, the death of the righteous is like the lowering clouds that shut out the sun at noonday; it has a bright side and a silver lining. Death to a Christian is moving out of this cold, friendless, dark world into eternal light. This is what Deacon Eric L. Asberry has done.
Eric attended the Fulton County Public Schools and graduated from College Park High School in 1979. Eric received his certificate in welding while working during his senior year at College Park High , School. Eric started working at an early age, and had made that a commitment to always keep a job. Starting out as a helper with the Bussey's at their community store, even throwing the AJC in the early 1970's. Eric was employed for 12 years with the DeKalb County Board of Education at the time of his illness. Mr. Asberry was the favorite word around Chapel Hill Elementary for getting the work and job done. You would here his name called over the radio, to the bell ringing for him to do something. Eric gave his devotion to his work and didn't miss a day of work unless he had to take off. His work ethics spoke loud and clear, that he was a dedicated worker. He also had a part-time job at Sam's as the Gas Station Manager. He worked hard to provide for his family
At a very early age, Eric joined Grant Chapel AME Church in East Point, Georgia, under the leadership of Reverend H. E. Terrell. He was a faithful Steward, served on the Usher Board and President of the Male Chorus under the leadership of Pastor B. A. Hart at Grant Chapel AME. He joined New Hope Christian Ministries in 2003 , under the leadership of Pastor Richard A. Leaphart, to this union he became a Deacon and received the Man of the Year Award for 2003 . His strong faith in God showed he was like "Shouting John" as his nickname became at New Hope. His smile was a smile that no one , will ever forget as you would see him at all times smiling and greeting his fellow friends and church members. Eric was blessed that he didn't have to get sick to find God, he was a faithful servant before his sickness. This blessing has set an example to his family and friends of his faithfulness.

Deacon Asberry loved to fish with his sons, to have his yard looking like carpet every year, help his wife with planting the flowers around their home and most of all, he would faithfully attend Bible Study and had started to teach Sunday School. He had a servant's heart for his Pastor and young people. Always ready to share his testimony and praise .. ."The Lord is so good to me." He worked for the Lord and gave his time in the Lord. Throughout his illness, Eric's strong faith in God brought his family through.

He knew where his help came from, The Lord. Eric had some

go~d days and some bad days but thru it all, he gave the Glory

to God and prayed that God's will be done. And we're all are

here today because of God saying "Well done thou good and

faithful servant."

Eric enjoyed life and touched a lot of children at Chapel Hill Elementary. Eric also had a special love for his mother and

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mother-in-law, that showed he was a wonderful man, humble

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and faithful Son of God.

He leaves to cherish his memories : a devoted wife, Artrease Potter-Asberry; three sons, Eric Jermaine Potter-Asberry, Brandon Jermal Potter-Asberry and Roderick Labrone Asberry; one daughter, Qushandra Asberry; one granddaughter, Asia Asberry; a devoted mother, Jeanette Thomas; father, William Austin of Chattanooga, TN; three brothers, Sherman Asberry, Reginald Asberry and Ephraim Asberry; two loving in-law parents, Guy (Hazel) Potter of Tuskegee, AL; three devoted brothers-in-law, James (Jean) Potter of Mobile AL, Kenneth (Paula) Potter of Birmingham, AL and Jeffery (Andrea) Potter of Aubum, AL; one devoted sister-in-law, Patricia Potter-Lindsey of Tuskegee, AL, aunts and uncles, Voncella Asberry, Geneva (Randolph) Flagg, Eloise Harris, Albert (Maudie) Asberry, Henry Asberry and Larry Asberry all of Atlanta, GA, Mary (William) Jackson of New York, NY, Charlie (Jackie) Asberry of Tennessee; one godson, Khristopher Parker seven nephews, eleven nieces, two great nephews, five great nieces and a host of other relatives and beloved friends .

God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, "Come With Me. " With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, and saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, And a determined spirit was at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

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The Family of Eric Asberry expresses sincere gratitude for your prayers and expressions of kindness during the illness and passing of our loved one. May God bless you.
Kennedy Memorial Gardens 12500 River Road Ellenwood, Georgia
~ MURRAY
E BR01HERS
FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Cascade Chapel (404) 349-3000
& Darryl Allen ' s Quality Printing Graphics 404.755.0965