Dylan:
I don’t have any special pictures of your momma to share, but I think that is okay…there are so many beautiful special pictures of your momma, and of your momma and you together! She loved you so much, and made so many special times and special memories for the two of you to share.
I have only been at Integrity Church for a few months, so I didn’t get to know Tonya as well as some people, but she blessed me so much in the short time I knew her. She was so kind and welcoming to me as a visitor and a new part of Integrity. I looked for her every week, knowing I could count on a warm hello and hug.
Your momma was one of the most alive people I have ever met: spunky, friendly, joyful, smart, sweet, caring, generous….and it was obvious that her life came from Jesus. I was reminded of this again as I looked at the slideshow during her funeral of all the pictures; I couldn’t help but notice the difference in her face. In the pictures from the last few years, your momma’s face just shone with a vibrant life that could only come from Jesus. Jesus makes us truly alive, and your momma was one of the most beautiful and inspiring examples of that truth that I have ever seen.
Rachel Fortney
Thursday, May 26
Sunday, May 22
From Amanda Meyer
Dear Dylan,
Your mom, where to start? She was one of the loveliest women I have ever met, inside and out. She was one of the very first people I met when I started coming to Integrity Church and I immediately fell in love with her sweet southern accent. She was so welcoming and inviting to every single person that she came into contact with. Her love for Christ was so evident and second only to her love for Jesus, was her love for you. My, how she loved you! I've met few women in my life who have loved the way she did. She taught you about Jesus, prayed for you whole heartedly and gushed over you when you were and weren't around. She was so proud of you! All of this, you know first hand because you were the object of her affection and so precious to her in every way.
I remember going to see Grady sing one night at Moe's. Your mom asked me if you and her could come sit with me? I was so thrilled that you both decided to come. It was one of the sweetest times I shared with you and your mom. It was so fun sitting and talking with her and learning about her life and how much she loved you, how much she loved Jesus and how much she loved Integrity Church.
Your mom will be missed so much. She is loved by so many and her testimony of love, faith and perseverance in Christ will cary on. Grady and I will continue to pray for you and your family. You are so loved by Jesus, and so many around you. It is our prayer that you experience this unchanging, unconditional love from Jesus that your mom knew so well.
We love you Dylan!
Amanda and Grady
Your mom, where to start? She was one of the loveliest women I have ever met, inside and out. She was one of the very first people I met when I started coming to Integrity Church and I immediately fell in love with her sweet southern accent. She was so welcoming and inviting to every single person that she came into contact with. Her love for Christ was so evident and second only to her love for Jesus, was her love for you. My, how she loved you! I've met few women in my life who have loved the way she did. She taught you about Jesus, prayed for you whole heartedly and gushed over you when you were and weren't around. She was so proud of you! All of this, you know first hand because you were the object of her affection and so precious to her in every way.
I remember going to see Grady sing one night at Moe's. Your mom asked me if you and her could come sit with me? I was so thrilled that you both decided to come. It was one of the sweetest times I shared with you and your mom. It was so fun sitting and talking with her and learning about her life and how much she loved you, how much she loved Jesus and how much she loved Integrity Church.
Your mom will be missed so much. She is loved by so many and her testimony of love, faith and perseverance in Christ will cary on. Grady and I will continue to pray for you and your family. You are so loved by Jesus, and so many around you. It is our prayer that you experience this unchanging, unconditional love from Jesus that your mom knew so well.
We love you Dylan!
Amanda and Grady
From Tiffany Karr
Hello sweet Dylan,
Your mother and I spent the last few years really getting to know eachother. I had the pleasure of meeting your mother through your father. We met in Florida, do you remember that trip? Jennifer and I flew in to meet everyone from California, and to meet you and your mom for the first time. You were bouncing bed to bed in the hotel room as we chatted and got to know one another. When you dad deployed to Iraq, I had the unique pleasure of serving your mother as her key volunteer spouse. It was during this deployment that your mother and I developed a special, unique friendship that will last a lifetime.
That summer, in July, you and your mother came to California to visit me. We all had such a great time! Do you remember the ocean, getting buried in the sand, and the huge play area set up for us! Your mother was introduced to all the other spouses of the military men your father knew. It was love at first sight! Seriously, every woman she met was so pleased to meet your mother and she developed many friendships from this trip. That October you and your mother came back to California to welcome your father home from Iraq. We carved pumpkins and we really had a nice time together. Your mother was so patient with me, who had no kids yet! In showing me the gentle way she mothered you. It was Tonya I called first to tell her when I got pregnant, and your mother screamed and was so joyous for me, the way a sister would. She is so special.
The last time I saw you two was last Easter. Levi, my son, was born and the two of you came down to meet him! You treated him like your little brother, and you would tell your mother things you planned on teaching Levi! It was such a fun trip, and so neat to see the way you interacted with Levi. We went to the zoo and explored St Louis in the sticky heat. Your mother taught me how to coupon! She had such passion for things in life. She would light up when she talked about you, and had a sparkle in her eye when she watched you. She was so proud of you and so proud to be your mother! I think many of us can agree that the way she parented you was the way we all wish to parent. You two traveled a lot recently, you both went to New York and D.C. among other places. I enjoyed the way your mother shared her love for life and for you through the pictures she took. You two have so much love, and such a connection.
I do not know why these things happen Dylan. I have to rely on the promise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise that we will all be together again as my strength. You are her peach, always will be her peach, and she will always be your momma. I love you very much Dylan, and want you to know that I am only a phone call away. I would love for you to still teach Levi things, and visit us as often as you like. I knew I met a friend for life when I met your mother and what an honor to have met her and you, you are my friend for life too sweet Dylan.
Justin, Tiffany, and Levi Karr
Your mother and I spent the last few years really getting to know eachother. I had the pleasure of meeting your mother through your father. We met in Florida, do you remember that trip? Jennifer and I flew in to meet everyone from California, and to meet you and your mom for the first time. You were bouncing bed to bed in the hotel room as we chatted and got to know one another. When you dad deployed to Iraq, I had the unique pleasure of serving your mother as her key volunteer spouse. It was during this deployment that your mother and I developed a special, unique friendship that will last a lifetime.
That summer, in July, you and your mother came to California to visit me. We all had such a great time! Do you remember the ocean, getting buried in the sand, and the huge play area set up for us! Your mother was introduced to all the other spouses of the military men your father knew. It was love at first sight! Seriously, every woman she met was so pleased to meet your mother and she developed many friendships from this trip. That October you and your mother came back to California to welcome your father home from Iraq. We carved pumpkins and we really had a nice time together. Your mother was so patient with me, who had no kids yet! In showing me the gentle way she mothered you. It was Tonya I called first to tell her when I got pregnant, and your mother screamed and was so joyous for me, the way a sister would. She is so special.
The last time I saw you two was last Easter. Levi, my son, was born and the two of you came down to meet him! You treated him like your little brother, and you would tell your mother things you planned on teaching Levi! It was such a fun trip, and so neat to see the way you interacted with Levi. We went to the zoo and explored St Louis in the sticky heat. Your mother taught me how to coupon! She had such passion for things in life. She would light up when she talked about you, and had a sparkle in her eye when she watched you. She was so proud of you and so proud to be your mother! I think many of us can agree that the way she parented you was the way we all wish to parent. You two traveled a lot recently, you both went to New York and D.C. among other places. I enjoyed the way your mother shared her love for life and for you through the pictures she took. You two have so much love, and such a connection.
I do not know why these things happen Dylan. I have to rely on the promise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise that we will all be together again as my strength. You are her peach, always will be her peach, and she will always be your momma. I love you very much Dylan, and want you to know that I am only a phone call away. I would love for you to still teach Levi things, and visit us as often as you like. I knew I met a friend for life when I met your mother and what an honor to have met her and you, you are my friend for life too sweet Dylan.
Justin, Tiffany, and Levi Karr
Friday, May 6
From Emily Bellis
Dylan,
I remember the first time Jackson (my husband) and I met your mom. We both started attending Integrity Church around the same time and we met over at the Webster’s for a church event dinner. The first thing I noticed about her was her vibrant smile and love of life. She had a personality that was bigger than life and every time I saw her I was reminded of the joy she had in Christ.
I also remember when she was planning your trip to NYC. Jackson and I had traveled there a couple of months prior and she was trying to make your trip so special and wanted to know all the spots to visit. I remember her telling me about how you both watched the movie “BIG” so that you could see the “Big Piano” that you would later go on to see at the FAO Schwarz toy story in NYC. I know God planned this trip for just the two of you – a time for you both to bond and spend quality time together. She was so proud of you and always lit up when she spoke of you. She will be deeply missed but know that “For those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Love,
Emily Bellis
I remember the first time Jackson (my husband) and I met your mom. We both started attending Integrity Church around the same time and we met over at the Webster’s for a church event dinner. The first thing I noticed about her was her vibrant smile and love of life. She had a personality that was bigger than life and every time I saw her I was reminded of the joy she had in Christ.
I also remember when she was planning your trip to NYC. Jackson and I had traveled there a couple of months prior and she was trying to make your trip so special and wanted to know all the spots to visit. I remember her telling me about how you both watched the movie “BIG” so that you could see the “Big Piano” that you would later go on to see at the FAO Schwarz toy story in NYC. I know God planned this trip for just the two of you – a time for you both to bond and spend quality time together. She was so proud of you and always lit up when she spoke of you. She will be deeply missed but know that “For those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Love,
Emily Bellis
Tuesday, May 3
From Mitzi Sherron
Dylan,
I knew your mom as a believer. Her life as a Christian was marked by her joy that she carried with her everywhere. I know that this joy was given to her by our great, merciful God showing her kindness. Her life was also marked by selfless service to the body of Christ, the church. She served me in several ways over the three years I knew her.
One of my favorite memories was last year about this time. I was engaged to be married to Jake and your mom offered to help me address the invitations to our wedding. She had pretty cursive writing and so I invited her over to my apartment and we sat and talked for several hours addressing one envelope after another and stuffing the invitations. We laughed and joked and talked about my preparations for marriage and the life of a certain Mr. Dylan Watt.
While we were working our way towards carpal tunnel syndrome, you and Jake left to hang out for a little while. Your birthday had just passed and so Jake took you to Toys R Us to pick out a birthday present. I don’t remember what you came back with but Jake called it a “poof ball” and we think it was a stuffed animal. Anyway, you guys stayed in the store playing with and inspecting toys until they announced over the PA that the store would be closing. You came back so excited saying it was “the best night ever” and your mom talked about your excitement for weeks! She always loved it when you enjoyed hanging out with the men in the church.
A couple months later, you both traveled to Claremont, NC to attend our wedding. You were going to hand out the programs at the ceremony.
Before we were ever engaged, I remember your mom reciting to me a conversation that you and she had. I don’t recall how it started, but you said, “Mom, Jake’s not ever going to get married!”. Your mom said “Dylan, I think that Jake and Mitzi might get married”. And you told her, “Well, if they do, I’m going to be in that wedding!” And so, you were.
At the rehearsal dinner, your mom and you sat at a table with my mentor and friend, Christy Trouille, and her family. They hadn’t met before but Christy told me later that she loved your mom and enjoyed talking with her about you and Marcee (Christy’s daughter). Marcee was just a year younger than you. Christy and your mom kept in touch via email and Facebook ever since. Your mom could meet someone and almost immediately find something she had in common with them or something interesting about them to engage in conversation about. She was quite a networker!
Perhaps one of the greatest ways your mom has served me, is by teaching me how to coupon. She would talk about how much money she would save on groceries and invite us over for steaks when she got them on sale. When we got married we were close to broke and so I asked her to teach me this great craft. She showed me how she would cut, fold, and organize her coupons into baseball card sleeves. She told me which newspapers to buy to get the most coupons. She took me to Harris Teeter and taught me the tricks of the trade as we went sale item by sale item matching coupons to sales. She even had the “master of coupons”, a lady with a couponing blog, come to Greenville and host classes. I would call your mom when I had some great shopping experiences and tell her how much I saved. She would be more excited than I was!
Dylan, your mom, Tonya, was a humble lady who loved the Lord! She wanted you to grow up with a knowledge of the Bible and she prayed that God would give you a heart that loved and desired Him. This was the greatest wish she could have for you.
I pray that you will take your sweet memories of your mom and store them up in your heart, that you praise God for the gift he gave you in your mom and that you would meet with her again in the presence of Christ!
With love,
Mitzi Sherron
Our Wedding:
I knew your mom as a believer. Her life as a Christian was marked by her joy that she carried with her everywhere. I know that this joy was given to her by our great, merciful God showing her kindness. Her life was also marked by selfless service to the body of Christ, the church. She served me in several ways over the three years I knew her.
One of my favorite memories was last year about this time. I was engaged to be married to Jake and your mom offered to help me address the invitations to our wedding. She had pretty cursive writing and so I invited her over to my apartment and we sat and talked for several hours addressing one envelope after another and stuffing the invitations. We laughed and joked and talked about my preparations for marriage and the life of a certain Mr. Dylan Watt.
While we were working our way towards carpal tunnel syndrome, you and Jake left to hang out for a little while. Your birthday had just passed and so Jake took you to Toys R Us to pick out a birthday present. I don’t remember what you came back with but Jake called it a “poof ball” and we think it was a stuffed animal. Anyway, you guys stayed in the store playing with and inspecting toys until they announced over the PA that the store would be closing. You came back so excited saying it was “the best night ever” and your mom talked about your excitement for weeks! She always loved it when you enjoyed hanging out with the men in the church.
A couple months later, you both traveled to Claremont, NC to attend our wedding. You were going to hand out the programs at the ceremony.
Before we were ever engaged, I remember your mom reciting to me a conversation that you and she had. I don’t recall how it started, but you said, “Mom, Jake’s not ever going to get married!”. Your mom said “Dylan, I think that Jake and Mitzi might get married”. And you told her, “Well, if they do, I’m going to be in that wedding!” And so, you were.
At the rehearsal dinner, your mom and you sat at a table with my mentor and friend, Christy Trouille, and her family. They hadn’t met before but Christy told me later that she loved your mom and enjoyed talking with her about you and Marcee (Christy’s daughter). Marcee was just a year younger than you. Christy and your mom kept in touch via email and Facebook ever since. Your mom could meet someone and almost immediately find something she had in common with them or something interesting about them to engage in conversation about. She was quite a networker!
Perhaps one of the greatest ways your mom has served me, is by teaching me how to coupon. She would talk about how much money she would save on groceries and invite us over for steaks when she got them on sale. When we got married we were close to broke and so I asked her to teach me this great craft. She showed me how she would cut, fold, and organize her coupons into baseball card sleeves. She told me which newspapers to buy to get the most coupons. She took me to Harris Teeter and taught me the tricks of the trade as we went sale item by sale item matching coupons to sales. She even had the “master of coupons”, a lady with a couponing blog, come to Greenville and host classes. I would call your mom when I had some great shopping experiences and tell her how much I saved. She would be more excited than I was!
Dylan, your mom, Tonya, was a humble lady who loved the Lord! She wanted you to grow up with a knowledge of the Bible and she prayed that God would give you a heart that loved and desired Him. This was the greatest wish she could have for you.
I pray that you will take your sweet memories of your mom and store them up in your heart, that you praise God for the gift he gave you in your mom and that you would meet with her again in the presence of Christ!
With love,
Mitzi Sherron
Our Wedding:
From Joey and Deanna Snead
Dylan,
I too, like others, did not have the privilege of knowing your mom all too long, since we have only been attending Integrity church for a few months permanently, but I have to concur with what others have said about your mom representing Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, as well as one can this side of Glory. Back in November of 2010, on a visit to Integrity, with my daughter, something awesome happened. After service, your mom followed us out to our car, and really reached out to me in a way that is all too uncommon in most churches today. Your mom, with you beside her, asked several questions about myself, my daughter, my family and took the extra five minutes that makes a visitor, to unfamiliar surroundings, feel at home. It was a very important gesture to me, as I found her spirit overwhelmingly one of love and joy. A few weeks later, as we were telling a few friends of God's decision for us to make Integrity our home church, one of my wife's friends proclaimed that we had to get to know "Tonya Watt, because she is awesome", and that you "would know her by her smile and sweet spirit". It wasn't until a few weeks later, that I made the connection on who Tonya was. My wife met her within one week, and a friendship, like many of the others who are writing to you, was established with my wife, Deanna, as well. You see Dylan, your mom's testimony of her love for Jesus was not confined to just Integrity church. She touched a lot of lives, and it appears that she has shaped yours as well. We will be praying, that when times get tough for you Dylan, that you will call on Jesus, and he will provide the comfort that you need, and that only He can provide. Dylan, remember above all else that God loves you.
Joey and Deanna Snead
I too, like others, did not have the privilege of knowing your mom all too long, since we have only been attending Integrity church for a few months permanently, but I have to concur with what others have said about your mom representing Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, as well as one can this side of Glory. Back in November of 2010, on a visit to Integrity, with my daughter, something awesome happened. After service, your mom followed us out to our car, and really reached out to me in a way that is all too uncommon in most churches today. Your mom, with you beside her, asked several questions about myself, my daughter, my family and took the extra five minutes that makes a visitor, to unfamiliar surroundings, feel at home. It was a very important gesture to me, as I found her spirit overwhelmingly one of love and joy. A few weeks later, as we were telling a few friends of God's decision for us to make Integrity our home church, one of my wife's friends proclaimed that we had to get to know "Tonya Watt, because she is awesome", and that you "would know her by her smile and sweet spirit". It wasn't until a few weeks later, that I made the connection on who Tonya was. My wife met her within one week, and a friendship, like many of the others who are writing to you, was established with my wife, Deanna, as well. You see Dylan, your mom's testimony of her love for Jesus was not confined to just Integrity church. She touched a lot of lives, and it appears that she has shaped yours as well. We will be praying, that when times get tough for you Dylan, that you will call on Jesus, and he will provide the comfort that you need, and that only He can provide. Dylan, remember above all else that God loves you.
Joey and Deanna Snead
From Sarah Sparrow
Dear Dylan,
I know that right now you must be hurting more than I could imagine. I am praying that Jesus will hold your heart and guide you through your sadness.
Your mama was such a blessing to our church and to me personally. She was always willing to help; she served others with a passion that I love and admire. The last time that I saw your mom she was helping me with my senior research project. Without even letting me finish my request that she be one of my study subjects, with her sparkling eyes and willing heart she said, "Tell me what to do!" A few weeks later, she beckoned me out to your car after church so she could return to me the survey. That's just the kind of person she was. She was organized, yes, but she was first and foremost loving to people. And she loved until the very end. Second only to Jesus, she loved YOU, Dylan. She loved you so much.
There are so many things that don't make sense in life; this is one of those times for all of us. I know that it may never make sense to you, but I hope and pray that you find Jesus in the middle of this sadness - He is the only one who can rescue us, Dylan. Your mom knew that, and she is with Jesus today. I can't wait to see her again, buddy.
Love,
Sarah Sparrow
I know that right now you must be hurting more than I could imagine. I am praying that Jesus will hold your heart and guide you through your sadness.
Your mama was such a blessing to our church and to me personally. She was always willing to help; she served others with a passion that I love and admire. The last time that I saw your mom she was helping me with my senior research project. Without even letting me finish my request that she be one of my study subjects, with her sparkling eyes and willing heart she said, "Tell me what to do!" A few weeks later, she beckoned me out to your car after church so she could return to me the survey. That's just the kind of person she was. She was organized, yes, but she was first and foremost loving to people. And she loved until the very end. Second only to Jesus, she loved YOU, Dylan. She loved you so much.
There are so many things that don't make sense in life; this is one of those times for all of us. I know that it may never make sense to you, but I hope and pray that you find Jesus in the middle of this sadness - He is the only one who can rescue us, Dylan. Your mom knew that, and she is with Jesus today. I can't wait to see her again, buddy.
Love,
Sarah Sparrow
From Mary Paramore
Dylan,
One Christmas your mom knew of a work friend who was having some pretty tough money troubles. This was during difficult times for a lot of people and your Mom was struggling to pay big bills of her own. But she came by with an envelope and secretly gave this other mom some money to spend on her kids for Christmas. She never wanted anyone to know, and I kept her secret. But now I want you to know that she was the rare kind of person who gave to everyone and not just out of her surplus. She gave to others knowing that with you in her life she had more than she had ever hoped for. Her love will always be with you and you will continue to make her proud. She was once the proudest mom on earth…now she is the proudest mom in heaven, I’m sure.
Mary Paramore
One Christmas your mom knew of a work friend who was having some pretty tough money troubles. This was during difficult times for a lot of people and your Mom was struggling to pay big bills of her own. But she came by with an envelope and secretly gave this other mom some money to spend on her kids for Christmas. She never wanted anyone to know, and I kept her secret. But now I want you to know that she was the rare kind of person who gave to everyone and not just out of her surplus. She gave to others knowing that with you in her life she had more than she had ever hoped for. Her love will always be with you and you will continue to make her proud. She was once the proudest mom on earth…now she is the proudest mom in heaven, I’m sure.
Mary Paramore
From Miranda Newman
To Dylan,
Your mom was one of the first women at Integrity that caught my eye...on facebook. I kept seeing her comment or post on peoples' Facebook walls and wondering who is Tonya Watt? It wasn't long before I met your mom and all her commenting made sense. I didn't know your mom for long or very well, but I knew her enough to experience the gifts she had been given to serve and love others. Tonya was always so encouraging and humble...she was also a little sassy, which I loved! I helped you and your mother clean the Webster's house and I left that day thinking how sweet it was to see how you loved each other. I told her, "Wow, Dylan is so well-behaved, it is so sweet of him to come and help clean." She said something to the effect of, he doesn't have a choice (haha). While we cleaned that day, she kept talking about your upcoming trip to NYC, she was so excited! It was evident how much she loved you and enjoyed spending time with you. I think it is so cool how you two took so many trips together and the desire she had to discover and explore cities with you. I hope that those memories will remain with you for many many years! Although, I only knew your mother a short time, she was an inspiration to me. She embodied Christ's sacrificial and all-consuming love in her service to others. I am blessed to have met both you and your mother and I hope that I can continue to know you and become a part of your Integrity Church family.
Miranda Newman
Your mom was one of the first women at Integrity that caught my eye...on facebook. I kept seeing her comment or post on peoples' Facebook walls and wondering who is Tonya Watt? It wasn't long before I met your mom and all her commenting made sense. I didn't know your mom for long or very well, but I knew her enough to experience the gifts she had been given to serve and love others. Tonya was always so encouraging and humble...she was also a little sassy, which I loved! I helped you and your mother clean the Webster's house and I left that day thinking how sweet it was to see how you loved each other. I told her, "Wow, Dylan is so well-behaved, it is so sweet of him to come and help clean." She said something to the effect of, he doesn't have a choice (haha). While we cleaned that day, she kept talking about your upcoming trip to NYC, she was so excited! It was evident how much she loved you and enjoyed spending time with you. I think it is so cool how you two took so many trips together and the desire she had to discover and explore cities with you. I hope that those memories will remain with you for many many years! Although, I only knew your mother a short time, she was an inspiration to me. She embodied Christ's sacrificial and all-consuming love in her service to others. I am blessed to have met both you and your mother and I hope that I can continue to know you and become a part of your Integrity Church family.
Miranda Newman
From Matt Eiban
Dylan,
I don't know how to start a letter of this kind, so I will just start by saying that you had an awesome mother for 9 years! Your mom was one of the fiercest yet most compassionate women I have ever met. She lived her life with passion...passion first for her Lord and Savior, Jesus; passion secondly for the love of her life - you; passion thirdly for her church. Dylan, the Tonya that I knew gave her all in every situation. She never backed down from a challenge, she always speared an opportunity to serve head on. She always wanted to better other people's lives by giving of herself.
I had the pleasure of serving side by side with your mom as a volunteer leader at Integrity Church. I wish that I could say that I have always had as good an attitude toward serving as your mom did. There were many times when she would listen to me in my distress, in my complaints about various situations, and encourage me with her words and actions to continue serving whole heartedly. She was a friend to me, a help to me, a blessing to me. I will truly miss your mother, my friend, for the remainder of my time here on this earth.
The best thing about your mom, Dylan, is that she loved Jesus. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your mom is with Him right now. She is currently in the presence of the creator of the universe, she is worshipping Him, she is living fully in Him. Hold tight to this truth! She knew and wanted you to know that Jesus is Life.
I am here for you! If you ever (EVER) need anything, you can call me.
Matt Eiban (Mr. Matt)
I don't know how to start a letter of this kind, so I will just start by saying that you had an awesome mother for 9 years! Your mom was one of the fiercest yet most compassionate women I have ever met. She lived her life with passion...passion first for her Lord and Savior, Jesus; passion secondly for the love of her life - you; passion thirdly for her church. Dylan, the Tonya that I knew gave her all in every situation. She never backed down from a challenge, she always speared an opportunity to serve head on. She always wanted to better other people's lives by giving of herself.
I had the pleasure of serving side by side with your mom as a volunteer leader at Integrity Church. I wish that I could say that I have always had as good an attitude toward serving as your mom did. There were many times when she would listen to me in my distress, in my complaints about various situations, and encourage me with her words and actions to continue serving whole heartedly. She was a friend to me, a help to me, a blessing to me. I will truly miss your mother, my friend, for the remainder of my time here on this earth.
The best thing about your mom, Dylan, is that she loved Jesus. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your mom is with Him right now. She is currently in the presence of the creator of the universe, she is worshipping Him, she is living fully in Him. Hold tight to this truth! She knew and wanted you to know that Jesus is Life.
I am here for you! If you ever (EVER) need anything, you can call me.
Matt Eiban (Mr. Matt)
From Ben Sparrow
Dylan,
It has been fun to get to know you and your mom over the last couple of years. I first met Tonya when I came to help you guys serve food at the homeless shelter in Greenville. I remember that you and I poured juice for everyone. Seeing Tonya serving at the shelter was just one way that I saw her loving people by serving them. She also served people by greeting them at church, by being interested in them, and by building them up with her words. She had a way of making me feel good just by talking to me for a few minutes.
Your mom served people because Jesus was a servant on Earth.
Even though Jesus was God, he lived like a nobody on earth. He was a servant of the whole world by giving up his life for sins. He was God's servant because he always obeyed God.
Your mom served people because Jesus did.
You are very special to me, Dylan, and I will always remember you.
Love,
Ben Sparrow
It has been fun to get to know you and your mom over the last couple of years. I first met Tonya when I came to help you guys serve food at the homeless shelter in Greenville. I remember that you and I poured juice for everyone. Seeing Tonya serving at the shelter was just one way that I saw her loving people by serving them. She also served people by greeting them at church, by being interested in them, and by building them up with her words. She had a way of making me feel good just by talking to me for a few minutes.
Your mom served people because Jesus was a servant on Earth.
Even though Jesus was God, he lived like a nobody on earth. He was a servant of the whole world by giving up his life for sins. He was God's servant because he always obeyed God.
Your mom served people because Jesus did.
You are very special to me, Dylan, and I will always remember you.
Love,
Ben Sparrow
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