www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer for my sainted Godmother

this past Saturday, about a dozen of us gathered about in Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga to lay my Godmother at rest. Miss Lesley, as I called her, was ninety six years of age. there was no Mass, per se, due to time elements, so it was a graveside service. Miss Lesley was a quintessential Southern lady of antebellum aristocracy. she was a great grandaughter of General A.P. Hill, who was on General Lee's staff, and was killed in action at Danville in the closing days of the War. while a young girl, her family, the Wallaces, moved to Chattanooga. Miss Lesley had the privileges of private education and of the upper class lifestyle, but had a heart for people and for her Lord and Saviour. the Wallace's were members of First Presbyterian Church, where Dr. Wallace was a ruling elder. Miss Lesley married Whitney Colburn, who for all practical purposes was my Godfather. Whitney was the grandson of a Union officer who came to Chattanooga after the War, and married the Brabson widow, a lady who had lost her husband in the cause of the Confederacy.
When Lookout Mountain opened up, the Colburns built a beautiful home where they raised Lesley and Whit Jr., and were active in Lookout Mountain society. Miss Lesley, though baptized a Presbyterian, converted to the Episcopalian communion as an adolescent.It was a trip to Europe, after finishing at the Girl's Prepatory School, that Miss Lesley had a private audience with the Pope who was serving as the Vicar of Christ at the time. Miss Lesley was so moved by the audience, and all that she had experienced, that upon her return to Chattanooga, she took instructions in the Catholic Church, and was later confirmed as a full member.
In the years that ensued, she turned from being an upper class socialite to a woman of great piety. she was a person of prayer, and was a contributor not only to Sts. Peter and Paul RC Church, but to such ministries as Ben Haden's Changed Lives, and to Billy Graham. in the 70's, she was involved in the Catholic Charismatic movement, in which she found a home as a Catholic who had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour as a child.
Whitney died in 1981, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church was packed with the members of the leading families of Chattanooga. Whitney's obituary was announced with banner headlines. Miss Lesley had her two adult children; her two adult grandchildren, one of whom had her husband there with her the other had a close friend of his; two friends of her younger sister, since deceased; her Goddaughter Josephine; and her Godson Jonn. most everyone else was gone.her obituary was one of several that day in the Times-Free Press.
Miss Lesley declined rapidly in her last four years, but when I would come to see her, she seemed to enliven a bit. Miss Lesley was one of the last of my Grandparents' generation.
as there was no Mass, no eulogy was given. it is thought that this writer would impose on the time of the reader to present a eulogy in honor of an example of what a Christian should be, as he can no longer send, as he did faithfully, a Mother's day card every year, along with cards to his mother and to a lady who has been, as Miss Lesley had been, like a second mother.
prayers for Miss Lesley's eternal rest, and for the comfort of those who survive her would be indeed a appreciated.
Much Love,
Jonn

Prayers for your Godmothers' repose.

james

Jonn, this is a touching testimony to a life well lived! You are blessed to have had such a godmother. Eternal memory for her...Thanksgiving for the gift of Miss Lesley's life. Prayers for those who she leaves behind.

Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...

Almighty Father grant eternal memory for Miss Lesley+

May John cherish those years with such great affection that he writes about them for your glory. Maybe a book in the works John? Thanks so much for sharing your story.

May you rejoice in the works that the Lord has given you and your loved ones.

Pani Rose

Jonn,

With the souls of the just give rest, O Savior, to the sould you Your departed servant, Miss Lesley, and keep her for the blessed life with You.

I also offer you my heartfelt prayers and condolences Jonn. As you find the time, I would be interested in hearing how Miss Lesley came to be your Godmother.

-- Ed

Prayers for your Godmothers repose.

-Chad

thank you all for your prayers.
Much Love,
Jonn