Lorene Kent Quinn

March 2nd, 1937 - October 11th, 2020

By Greg Quinn

November 3rd, 2020

On Wednesday the 14th of October, I had the privilege of conducting the funeral service on my mother, Lorene Quinn. It was one of the most difficult things that I've been called on to do, but it was an honor to speak about the great lady who I called Mom for all these years. The graveside service had many friends and family in attendance, but there were many that knew and loved Mom that didn't have the opportunity to come, due to fears of Covid, sickness themselves, travel, or other issues. Therefore, I was asked to put my notes into Gunblast.com for many to read as I honored my mother who went on to be with the Lord.

It was more of a celebration of Mom's life, and a homecoming, as Mom joined my Dad, my brother Jeff who passed away just a couple months earlier, and all the other family and friends who had went on before her.

My brother Boge did a great job with the music, honoring Mom at the gravesite with a couple of her favorite songs.

For those that were unable to attend, here is the summary of the funeral service for Lorene Kent Quinn, one of the finest women God put on this earth.

LORENE KENT QUINN BORN MARCH 2, 1937 DIED OCTOBER 11, 2020

TODAY WE COME TO PAY OUR RESPECTS TO MOM. TODAY WE COME TO REFLECT ON HER LIFE. TODAY WE COME TO REJOICE IN THE CELEBRATION THAT SHE'S HAVING IN HEAVEN EVEN NOW. TODAY WE COME TO RESOLVE AS TO WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE REST OF US WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN.

RESPECT REFLECT REJOICE RESOLVE

I THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

RESPECT

WE THE FAMILY APPRECIATE ALL THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT ARE HERE TO PAY YOUR RESPECTS TO LORENE QUINN. TO ME AND BOGE AND ANTHONY AND WIVES, LORENE QUINN IS MOM. TO SOME GRANDMOTHER. TO MANY SHE IS AUNT LORENE. TO OTHERS A FRIEND. TO AUNT CHRIS A BELOVED SISTER. WE COME HERE TODAY OUT OF RESPECT AND TO RELFECT UPON HER LIFE AND WHAT IT MEANT TO US.

REFLECT

WE CANNOT THINK ABOUT MOM WITHOUT BEING FLOODED WITH MEMORIES. MEMORIES OF GOOD TIMES AND BAD. OF A GOOD CHILDHOOD WITH TWO GOOD PARENTS WHO TAUGHT US THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY, OF RIGHT AND WRONG, OF RESPECT AND HONOR, OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. MOM AND DAD TAUGHT US TO GO TO CHURCH. THEY HELPED LEAD US TO AN ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS AS OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT US BOYS IN OUR LIVES CAME IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO THE TEACHINGS OF MOM AND DAD.

WHEN I MENTION LORENE QUINN, I BET EVERYONE HERE HAS MANY STORIES TO TELL. STORIES AS TO HOW MOM MINISTERED TO YOU IN SOME WAY, ABOUT GOOD TIMES TOGETHER LONG AGO, ABOUT KINDNESS SHE SHOWED, OF HER LAUGH, OF TIMES AT SCHOOL, OF TIMES AT CHURCH, OR AT FAMILY GATHERINGS. WE CAN ALL REFLECT ON GREAT STORIES OF GOOD TIMES AND INSPIRATION IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LORENE QUINN. ALL MAY BE DIFFERENT. BUT ALL EMPHASIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF LORENE IN YOUR LIFE. WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO ALLOW EVERYONE TO TELL HOW KNOWING MOM MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU, BUT AS WE HONOR MOM AT THIS TIME, AND AS YOU THINK OF HER IN DAYS TO COME, I CHALLENGE YOU TO THINK ON THOSE THINGS. AND KEEP THESE AS AN INSPIRATION. AND THESE MEMORIES WILL KEEP LORENE QUINN ALIVE FOR YEARS TO COME.

I REMEMBER.. HOW MANY STORIES COULD I TELL?

I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE KIDS HOW MOM WOULD TAKE CARE OF US.

I REMEMBER AS WE GREW UP I OFTEN WONDERED HOW MOM MADE IT RAISING 4 HARD-HEADED BOYS. 5 IF YOU COUNT DAD. 

I REMEMBER QUILTING PARTIES WITH MOM, MAMA KENT, AUNT CHRIS, ALL DAD'S SISTERS, AUNT GEORGIE, AND MANY OTHERS. AND US BOYS RUNNING UNDER THE QUILTING RACK.

I REMEMBER MOM TRYING TO KEEP JEFF AND I FROM FIGHTING. DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK BUT SHE TRIED.

I REMEMBER WHEN MOM HAD CANCER AND YET SHE CONTINUED TO DO ALL SHE COULD TO RUN THE HOUSEHOLD AND FARM AND TAKE CARE OF THINGS.

I REMEMBER MOM LAUGHING WITH US AND CRYING WITH US.

I REMEMBER MOM AS A PASTOR'S WIFE, ONE OF THE HARDEST JOBS ON EARTH, HANDLING THINGS AT CHURCH WITH GRACE.

I REMEMBER RIDING WITH MOM IN THE CAR; ANYTIME SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES THAT RIGHT HAND WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO OUT TO CATCH THE KIDS IN THE SEAT BESIDE HER, OR THOSE THAT MIGHT FLY OVER FROM THE BACK SEAT. NOT THAT IT MATTERED MUCH; CARS HAD METAL DASHBOARDS, NO SUCH THING AS SEAT BELTS, AND ANTHONY RODE IN THE BACK WINDOW.

IN RECENT YEARS, AS MOM'S HEALTH FAILED, SHE WOULD STILL WANT THE FAMILY TO GET TOGETHER, TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER, TO EAT TOGETHER, TO ENJOY EACH OTHER.

MOM LOVED THE HOLIDAYS. WE ALWAYS HAD GREAT MEALS. A CHRISTMAS TREE. PRESENTS UNDER THE TREE EVEN WHEN WE WERE SMALL AND THERE WASN'T MUCH TO BE HAD.

MOM LOVED HER BOYS. SHE SACRIFICED HER LIFE FOR HER KIDS.

MOM LOVED HER GRANDKIDS AND LATER THE GREAT GRANDKIDS. SHE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THOSE KIDS.

AND MOM LOVED YOU. EACH OF YOU HERE, IF MOM WERE HERE AND COULD POINT OUT EACH OF YOU, SHE COULD TELL A STORY ABOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND WHAT YOU MEANT TO HER IN HER LIFE.

REFLECT

TODAY WE CANNOT REFLECT ON THE FUTURE WITH LORENE QUINN, EXCEPT WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN. BUT AS WE REFLECT ON THE PAST, DO IT WITH FOND MEMORIES. REFLECT ON HOW MOM MADE AN IMPACT IN YOUR LIFE. AND TAKE THESE STORIES WITH YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

AS YOU SEE, LORENE QUINN IS NEVER REALLY DEAD AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER HER.

REJOICE

HOW CAN "REJOICE" BE A PART OF A FUNERAL? AS WE SAY GOODBYE FOR THE LAST TIME WITH SOMEONE WE LOVE, HOW CAN WE REJOICE AT THIS TIME?

WE REJOICE WITH MOM TODAY BECAUSE SHE LIVED A GOOD LIFE, AND LIKE AS SAID BY THE APOSTLE PAUL IN THIS SCRIPTURE, SHE CAME TO THE END WITH A FULFILLED PURPOSE AND NOW CELEBRATES THE VICTORY IN FINISHING HER RACE WELL.

2 TIMOTHY 4: 7-8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

YOU SEE, IF YOU DURING YOUR LIFE ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD, THE END OF YOUR LIFE ON EARTH IS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR ETERNITY WITH GOD IN HEAVEN. 

THIS LIFE IS JUST A SHORT TIME. IN THE SPAN OF ETERNITY, THE 83 YEARS THAT MOM LIVED HERE IS BUT A VAPOR, A FLASH, A SECOND.

THEREFORE, WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE CREATED AS ETERNAL BEINGS, BORN WITH A SPIRIT WITHIN US, GIVEN THE CHOICE DURING OUR TIME HERE AS TO HOW AND WHERE WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY, THEN WE UNDERSTAND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE DURING OUR SHORT YEARS HERE IMPACT OUR FUTURE FOR ETERNITY. 

MOM MADE A DECISION TO ACCEPT JESUS AS HER SAVIOR AT A YOUNG AGE. SHE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE FOR JESUS HER ENTIRE LIFE. IN DOING SO, SHE ESTABLISHED FOR HERSELF NOT ONLY A PERMANENT HOME IN HEAVEN, BUT REWARDS IN HEAVEN.

TODAY, MOM IS NOT HERE. THE MOMENT SHE TOOK HER LAST BREATH HERE, SHE TOOK HER NEXT BREATH IN HEAVEN. WHERE THERE IS NO MORE SICKNESS. NO MORE PAIN. NO COVID19. NO FEAR. NO DEATH. NO TEARS. NO SUFFERING. 

FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW, MOM HAS ENJOYED THE BENEFITS OF HEAVEN THAT OUR MINDS CANNOT COMPREHEND. 

BY NOW SHE'S SEEN DAD. BY NOW SHE'S SEEN MAMA KENT AND DADDY KENT. BY NOW SHE'S SEEN ALL HER BROTHERS THAT WENT BEFORE HER. HER FRIENDS. SHE'S HUGGED JEFF AGAIN WHO HAS ONLY BEEN THERE A COUPLE MONTHS OR SO. MOM HAS STARTED TO SEE THE BEAUTIES OF HEAVEN. UNBELIEVABLE BEAUTY. DESIGNED BY GOD FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM AND CHOOSE DURING THIS LIFE TO MAKE HEAVEN THEIR PERMANENT HOME. AS MOM DID.

SO WHEN WE REFLECT UPON THE LIFE OF MOM, LORENE QUINN, WE SEE A LIFE OF PATIENCE, ENDURANCE, LOVE, GRATITUDE, SACRIFICE, FAITH, AND AT THE END, A LIFE REWARDED BY GOD WITH REWARDS THAT ENDURE FOREVER. AND THIS CAUSES TODAY TO BE A DAY OF REJOICING. YES WE WILL MISS HER TREMENDOUSLY. BUT AS MUCH AS I MISS MY MOM TODAY, I WOULD NOT DARE TAKE HER AWAY FROM WHAT SHE IS EXPERIENCING EVEN IF I COULD. TODAY WE REJOICE IN THAT MOM IS RECEIVING HER REWARD.

JOHN 3:14-17
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

RESOLVE

IN HEARING THE LIFE OF LORENE QUINN, WHAT'S YOUR "TAKE AWAY"? IF MOM'S LIFE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO YOU, YOU ARE INSPIRED TO DO WHAT? WHAT CAN YOU RESOLVE TODAY, FROM THIS MOMENT ON, TO CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT CAN YOU DECIDE TO DO TODAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR TOMORROW, AND THE TOMORROWS OF THOSE AROUND YOU?

SEE, ONE DAY WE WILL ALL BE AT THIS PLACE OF DEATH. WE ARE ALL BORN. WE ALL DIE. BUT AFTER DEATH, THE JUDGMENT. 

YOU SEE, JUST AS MOM DID, THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE IN YOUR LIFE DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY AFTER THIS LIFE IS OVER. SO, WHAT DECISIONS WILL YOU MAKE TODAY FOR YOUR ETERNITY?

IF MOM WANTED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN TODAY, SOME MIRACLE TO TAKE PLACE, IT WOULDN'T BE FOR HER TO RISE UP OUT OF THAT COFFIN. IT WOULDN'T BE FOR THE DISEASE THAT TOOK HER LIFE TO BE ERADICATED FROM EARTH. MOM'S DESIRE TODAY WOULD BE FOR YOU AND I, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY THAT WOULD SHAPE OUR ETERNITY.

THERE ARE TWO DECISIONS THAT ANY OF US COULD MAKE TODAY THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES, NOT ONLY ON EARTH, BUT FOR FOREVER.

ONE, IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR, THEN YOU KNOW ONE DAY, WHEN DEATH TAKES YOU AWAY, WHEN IT IS YOUR TIME, YOU KNOW WITHOUT DOUBT THAT YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH GOD AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF YOUR SALVATION. YOU WILL SEE LORENE QUINN AGAIN. YOU WILL SEE FAMILY AGAIN. AND YOU WILL MEET FACE TO FACE YOUR JESUS, THE CHRIST WHO SAVED YOU FROM YOUR SIN. YOUR DECISION IS TO LIVE A BETTER CHRISTIAN LIFE.

TWO, IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN, IF YOU HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR, THEN TODAY YOU ARE FACED WITH THAT CHOICE. AND I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT IT TODAY. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORANT DECISION YOU COULD EVER MAKE. BECAUSE THIS ONE DECISION WILL SHAPE NOT ONLY HOW YOU LIFE ON EARTH THE REST OF YOUR DAYS HERE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW YOU SPEND ETERNITY. THIS ONE DECISION, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH JESUS, WILL DETERMINE WHERE YOU SPEND ETERNITY. IN HEAVEN WITH THE BEAUTIES THAT MOM IS NOW ENJOYING, OR IN HELL, A PLACE OF TORMENT CREATED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS. IT SEEMS ODD ONE WOULD CHOOSE TORMENT OVER HAPPINESS. MANY DO. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO. YOU CAN DECIDE TODAY, THIS MOMENT, TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH GOD. YOUR DECISION IS TO ACCEPT JESUS TODAY.

ROMANS 10: 9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I'M GOING TO MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU. YOU MAY FIND IT VERY ODD TO BE FACED WITH THIS DECISION AT A FUNERAL. MAYBE SO. BUT YOU MAY NOT HAVE TOMORROW, SO WHY NOT TODAY?

I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE HERE TO DO SOMETHING. EVERY ONE OF US. I'M GOING TO PRAY. I WANT EVERYONE TO PRAY THE SAME PRAYER AFTER ME. JUST REPEAT AFTER ME. I SAY IT. YOU SAY IT.

FOR SOME OF YOU THIS IS A REPEAT OF A PRAYER YOU MADE MANY YEARS AGO. THIS DOESN'T SAVE YOU AGAIN, BUT IT BRINGS YOU TO REMEMBRANCE OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS DECISION WAS IN YOUR LIFE.

BUT FOR SOME OF YOU, YOU HAVE NEVER PRAYED THIS BEFORE. YOU MAY BE A BIT EMBARRASSED. YOU MAY BE NERVOUS. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SINGLED OUT. SO WE ARE ALL GOING TO DO THIS TOGETHER. THE DIFFERENCE IS, WHEN YOU SAY IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS YOU BELIEVE IT IN YOUR HEART, THEN YOU TOO WILL BE SAVED. AND WHEN YOUR DAY COMES AS IT DID FOR MOM, AND YOU DIE, YOU TOO CAN REJOICE IN THE JOYS OF HEAVEN.

SO LET'S ALL PRAY TOGETHER..

"HEAVENLY FATHER.. I ADMIT THAT I AM A SINNER.. I HAVE DONE WRONG.. BUT I HAVE HEARD AGAIN TODAY ABOUT JESUS. AND HOW YOU SENT YOUR SON TO EARTH. TO LIVE A PERFECT LIFE AS MY EXAMPLE, .. AND HOW HE DIED FOR MY SINS WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE TO... TODAY, I BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR ME.. AND THAT HE ROSE WHERE ONE DAY I CAN TOO... TODAY, I ACCEPT YOUR SON JESUS.. AS MY SAVIOR AND MY LORD.. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME, JESUS... AMEN."

IF YOU PRAYED THIS PRAYER FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WANT YOU TO SEE ME OR BROTHER STEVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE. WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING MORE ABOUT YOUR NEW LIFE AS A JESUS FOLLOWER. I REJOICE WITH YOU IN THIS DECISION.

BOGE, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO SING ANOTHER SONG. AS BOGE SINGS THIS SONG, I WANT YOU TO REFLECT UPON THE LIFE OF LORENE QUINN AND HOW SHE INSPIRED YOU IN SOME FASHION. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WANT YOU TO REFLECT UPON YOUR LIFE. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO OTHERS WITH THE YEARS YOU HAVE LEFT. THINK ABOUT YOUR DECISIONS TODAY. WILL YOU DO THAT?

IF YOU HAVE A MOTHER CLOSE BY, GO SEE HER. IF YOU HAVE A MOTHER OR FATHER FAR AWAY, CALL THEM. TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE THAT YOU LOVE THEM. SMILE MORE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD. SHARE JESUS AND WHAT HE DID FOR YOU. AND REMEMBER TODAY.

Greg Quinn