__________..1'6~-~..+-t--~---------- Active Pallbearers Mr. Robert Woot.~on Mr. /(enneth Wootson Mr. Ronald Wootson Mr. Timoth_y ~ye Mr. Tr~y Jones Mr. Johnn.Y Barrett Mr. Willie James Wood.\' Mr. Clarence Woods Flower Bearers Ushers and Friends "A Tribute'' Yours was a useful life; You wrought well while here. You were generous with _your time, Man; a life )'Oll did touch, Alwt!ys doingyour part, Glad to .. ene when called upon. With a meek and !rumble heart. Your l~fe wa., dedii:ated to thing" noble and true It was 110 ta,k for _you to work, That you wanted to do. You'II nef'er be forgotten, Though you'J'e pa''ed a1wry The deed.. you' Fe left bellind Will liFe each day. We didn't want to gif'e J'Oll up Sleep, sleep on, take your rest, This al't of God we dare not question, For He alone, knows best. -- Ano1!ymous A Special Thank You Our humble appreciation to God and to the wondeiful friends He has giFen us. Thank you each for coming to lrelp us bear our grief Jesus promised us that tlrey who moun1ed would be comforted. Your calls, Fi.,its, food, flowers and prayers willneFer be forgotten. May God bless each ofyou for being there, when we neededyou most. -- The Fami~J' of Gladys Slappey Laney c.!Anat c-A~M ~ntntdedw... C. J. EDWARDS Fl!NERAL HOME, INC. 409 Preston Street Fort Valley, Georgia 31030 Hon~egoing Services Mrs. Gladys Slappey Laney December 11, 1922 August 13, 1999 Thursday, August 19, 1999 Eleven O'clock a.m. "/will lift up mine ~ves unto the hills, from whence cometh ~V help." -- Psalms 121 St. John Baptist Church Highway 96 East Fort Valley, Georgia 31030 ReJ'erend J. L. Ross, Pastor Officiating In Loving Memory of Mrs. Gladys Slappey Laney Departure from life is a bond that binds loved ones together eternally, a bridge from earth into heaven, the journey that delivers the soul to God. On August 13, 1999 at 8:30p.m., God reached down in his vineyard and plucked one of his dearest roses, Gladys Slappey Laney, and placed her in His heavenly garden. Mrs. LaiUY was born December 11, 1922 in Houston County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Anderson and Nettie Chism Slappey. She attended the public schools of Houston and Peach Counties. She was a homemaker who always was willing to over extend herself, and give service to others. At an early age, she committed her life to Christ and joined Richland Baptist Church. Later, after moving to Peach County, she joined St. John Baptist Church. She served in all capacities and units of the church. Currently, she was "Mother of the Church, " the oldest woman in the St. John family. She served as secretary of the church for over 60 years. Even through her illness, she continued to serve in this capacity. On July 18, she received an award for dedicated service from St. John. She was a faithful member who supported all church activities. She served as President of the Missionary Society and Deaconess Board. Her life in the community included membership in the Woods Missionary Society, the Grijfinline Branch of the PTA, and continuous service to those in need. She worked untiringly to help others. And, she was a truly dedicated Christian soldier who worked for the Lord. On Aprill, 1939, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to fohn Laney, Jr. in Peach County. To this union, seven children were born. One son, Willie B., preceded her i11 death. For 60 years, she was a womlerful wife a11d mother. During her entire life, her warm and caring spirit touched many. She is lovingly remembered by a very lovi11g a11d devoted husba11d, Mr. fohn Laney, Jr. and their six children: Nettie LaiUY Brown (husband Willie Fra11k, Sr.); Ernestine Laruy Tukes (husband Samuel); and John Laney, Ill, all of Fort Valley, Emma Laney Stanley (husba11d Hugh) of Stone Mountai11, Linda LaiUY Ross (husband Jimmie Lee) of Warner Robins, a11d LaVerne La11g McLaughli11 (husband Frederick) ofAmericus, Georgia; two sisters, Mrs. Lilly B. Woods (husband Leonard) ofGeorgetown, TN and Ms. folmnie M. jo11es; o11e brother, Mr. Buford fo~~es (wife Lilly), all of Fort Valley. Also cherishing her memory, 11i11e lovi11g grandchildren, o11e who preceded her in death, the late Willie F. Brown, Jr. The remaining grandchildren are: Audrey D. Taylor (husband Gregory), Stephanie V. Tukes-Ma11uel (husba11d Ken11y), Kandace W. ~e (husband Timothy), Kizzy S. Stanley, Jahdonne L. Ross, Frederick L. McLaughlin, ferlindil Ross, jenllifer Ross; six great-grandchildren: Rodruy Clarke (wife Dawn), Sallenya, Jessica, and Clairissa Tqylor, Jaira ~e and Gregory C. Taylor, Jr.; o11e au11t, Mrs. Daisy La11ry; three devuted cousins: Mrs. Louise Wortham, Mrs. Emma Aiken of Fort Vallry, and Mr. Calvin McCc!Jl ofNew Jersey; many other cousins, several devoted friends, a11d a host of nieces and nephews. When tomorrow starts wit/rout me and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise a11d find your ryes all filled with tears for IJle; I wish so much you would11't cry the way you did today, While thi11king of the ma11y things we did11 't get to stry. I know how much you love me, as much as I loveyou; and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand that an angel came and called my 11ame and took me by the hand. So when tomorrow starts without me, do11 't think we're Jar apart For every timeyou thi11k of me, I'm right here i11 your heart. The Order of Serviee The Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mrs. Brenda Weatherspoon The Processional. ...... "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Amazing Grace" Prayer. ....................... Elder Gregory Taylor Ellenwood, Georgia Old Testament . (Job 7:1-21) .. Dr. Willie F. Brown, Sr. Fort Valley, Georgia New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reverend Raymond Little (II Corinthians 4:6-18) Murfreesboro, Tennessee Solo ............ . . .... Mrs. Andrea Saxon Words of Comfort .............. Deacon Walter Johnson Deacon Walter Dodson Mrs. Eunice Johnson Tribute to Grandmama. . . . . . . . ...... .Janell Nelson Quiet Reflections of Her Life. .......... .Medley of Songs ("I'll Fly Away", "In Times Like These", "Blessed Assurance'? Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reverend J. L. Ross Pastor, St. John Baptist Church Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ms. Kanetria Barrett " Precious Lord, Take My Hand" Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr. Claybon J. Edwards The Recessional . ...."We Will Understand It By and By" Interment Willowlake Memorial Garden Cemetery Fort Valley, Georgia The Famiry will receive friends for the Repast in the Annex of St. John Baptist Church. Sorors of Gamma Pi Omega Chapter, Alpha J(appa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and members of the Woods Missionary Club will serve as hostesses. ftljf :r;irALessage Prom ":r;irALama " Mrs. Gladys Slappey Laney "I'm Free" Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I am following the path God has laid for me; I took his hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day. To laugh, to love, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of the day. If 119' parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembering joys; A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes, these things I will surely miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow; My life's been full, I've savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief; Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now; He set me free!