In Remembrance of

 Sister Mildred Christene Epperson Wood

March 16, 1926 - December 29, 2008

She was born March 16, 1926 in Point DeLuce, Arkansas .  On August 16, 1944 she married her high school sweetheart, William Wood.

She was born again in 1964. Christene was called home December 29, 2008.  She was preceded in death by her parents Reba and Pete Ruffin and Grace and Ed Epperson.  Survivors include her loving husband of 64 years, three daughters, four grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Christene attended DeWitt Tabernacle, was a homemaker, a devoted ministers wife, mother, and grandmother. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  She was a joy to be around.

Many throughout the country that were acquainted with Brother and Sister Wood attended the funeral. There were several testimonials given about the depth and sincerity of Sister Wood’s commitment to Christ.

Several songs were sung during the service and each one seemed to fit and display a particular part of her personality and Christ-like character. The following is a letter not written by Sister Wood but was in her possession which seemed to fit so well her outlook on the crossing over from this fleshly walk into that new body and the joys that awaits us in the eternal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ

A Letter to My Loved One

       Death is nothing at all; it was only a door I passed through into this place called Heaven and Eternity.  I am not far from you, only in the next room.  Why should I be out of your thoughts just because I am out of your sight?  Call my name in the same way you always did, let it remain a household word.  Laugh at the little jokes we always shared together.  If a tear comes let it be dried by the thought of our soon coming reunion.  Time here is gone forever; in the next breath I will see you again.  

    Nothing has been lost between us that was good and true, it will be so again, only far better.  The joy we had there was only a shadow of what awaits you when you arrive.  I understand fully now what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Death where is thy sting, grave where is thy victory?  They were both done away as I passed into this glorious light.  I was never in the grave; I only transferred into another body, one like His own glorious body.  The one you buried will come forth again, to be united with the one I am now in.”

     Though you miss me much you would not want me there again. If you could only see the beauty of this place you would rejoice evermore that I have arrived.  I have already seen our new mansion, I  am waiting to show it to you, I can hardly believe my eyes.  It is not a myth, we will share it together forever.  The God that cannot lie promised.  It is in that city that will come down out of Heaven and settle on the new Earth.  You have heard of the Eastern Gate, I will wait for you there.  Call my name and I will hear.  You will know me when you see me.  I am the same person you loved there, only in a different body.  

    Absence will only make our hearts grow fonder.  Let the memories of our love there keep you steady.  Nothing that was good between us can ever be lost, He will make the negative to be all positive here.  Do your work and sing His praises, all is well!  Waiting!

                                                                 -Christene