THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE....

This is the day,

This is the day,

That the Lord hath made,

That the Lord hath made,

 

We will rejoice,

We will rejoice,

And be glad in it,

And be glad in it.

 

This is the day

That the Lord hath made

We will rejoice

And be glad in it.

 

This is the day,

This is the day,

That the Lord hath made.

 

That was one of Mom's favorite songs and has become a favorite of mine as well.

 

The day is beautiful. Clear skies, birds chirping.  You could hear a squirrel in the distance chirping.   The night prior held stars beyond counting. An all around perfect day.

 

All of us took the day to do little things like go in to town, visit shops, clean around the house and just spend moments with Mom.

 

Today, Mom passed, leaving behind a broken body and entering heaven completely healed to be with Jesus, our Lord God. 

 

Jesus said while he was on the cross, "your last breath here on earth will be your next breath in heaven."

 

Mom did just that.  She was surrounded by all of her family.  Her husband, myself and my husband, Rebecca, Annie and her husband, Lisa and their grand-daughter Rachelle.  She took her last breath on earth while we watched her quickly and peacefully go.  Tears streamed down everyone's faces, but we all understood that Mom was entering the gates of heaven.

 

Other family members came to join us after her passing to pay their respects and to be with Mom one last moment.  The children gathered around her, Mom and Dad's little Chihuahua's were laying next to her consoling her as well. 

 

As the evening drew to a close, Annie brought to mind some fantastic significance to Mom's passing.  Being that Mom was so deep in to God's word and loved to share his love for everyone, I know personally that she would have loved the significance of her passing and would have spoken in great length with Annie regarding her findings.

 

Here is what Annie brought forth to us....Mom was born on April 13.  Mom's cancer from her first fight to her second was exactly 13 years.  Mom passed away on the 13th.  Thirteen has the significance of "The gathering of many to be with one.  Being that the number 13 occurred three times, the number three in Hebrew means, "Completion".  Mom also passed away at 5:29.  The number 529 in Hebrew means Happy.

 

So, Mom fulfilled God's word to the end and she is now rejoicing in Heaven where God has prepared a special place for her to be able to walk, run and not have any more cancer or tumors or pain. 

 

I love you Mom.  I will always love you.  I know that you will always be in my heart and I want to thank you for over 50 years of love, nurturing, guidance and sharing God's love with me and everyone else that crossed your path.

 

Here are the words that will appear in her memory....

 

 

Elizabeth 'Betty' Claire Reynolds, aged 72, died on September 13, 2013 at her home in Redding, CA.  After her valiant fight with Colon Cancer in 2000, Betty’s battle resumed in April 2013 with Stage 4 Colon Cancer that spread to the bones.  Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through 5 more months of grueling radiation and chemotherapy. 

Betty was born April 13, 1941 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Charles Frances Brannon and Dorthy Catherine Sitzman.  The youngest of 5 children.

She is known best for her ease in frequent conversation with even total strangers, contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor.  Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.

In 1961, Betty married the love of her life Robert Eugene Reynolds in Pasadena, California. A short time after the birth of their second child they moved to Redding and opened a small cafe where she waitressed and Robert cooked. However they were destined for something far greater. Robert's artistic abilities and Betty's instinctive mind for finance and marketing opened the door to their successful business, 'Double R Signs', for which they owned and operated together for over 30 years.

Married for 52 years, Betty & Robert raised their 5 dear children, Jennifer, Stephen, Rebecca, Annie & Lisa in their Redding home. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Betty faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking/baking from scratch – including cake decorating, jewelry design/creation, stained glass, sewing and crafting. A woman of faith and the heart of the Reynolds family, Betty shaped their spirituality by her tireless Christian example.  With a real zest for life, Mrs. Reynolds loved to dance, write, read, pray, camp, agate hunt along the beaches of Patrick's Point, play games/cards – especially with her Grandchildren, and chat with friends and family…just to name a few.

Betty proficiently learned American Sign Language 11 years ago and served as a community instructor for the deaf and hard of hearing for over 6 years. 

Her surviving relatives are numerous, but mainly include her husband of 52 years, Robert E Reynolds, 4 of her children, Jennifer, Rebecca, Annie & Lisa along with their spouses, her eldest sister Dorothy, and brother Kenneth, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.