Alice Foreman Furlough, November 15,1915 – March 18, 2005
My beloved friend, Alice, has now been gone from us for a year. Alice would have been 90 years old in just a few months before she left. But God had a different plan for her 90th Birthday. We like to believe that she celebrated with her loved ones that had gone before her.
Alice was a very special friend. If you wanted someone to pray with you, you visited Alice, If you wanted someone to sing with you, you visited Alice. If you wanted someone to share a secret with, you visited Alice. If you wanted a hug, you visited Alice.
I was ten years old when I meet Alice, who became known to me as Sis. Furlough, in church in my hometown in NC. My Father had died and the Methodist church we attended had moved and a new little church had started in our Methodist church building. My Mother began to take us to this church where we meet many wonderful caring people including Alice and her family. We had many wonderful years of caring and sharing as a church. Sometimes I think back and it is a church and community fresh out of a great novel.
Of course we grew up and things changed and even that little church closed. I moved from NC. Many years later I was back visiting in NC only to find Alice living right next door to my brother’s store. I again renewed my relationship with her. I must say she had not changed except for a few more wrinkles and a deeper spiritual relationship with Jesus. Still working hard, praying without ceasing, singing the old hymns, and loving even more. Still sharing her inner most secrets with me, which I so cherish.
My husband and I with our church from Virginia made many trips to visit her to sing and pray with her and her husband. We all still carry Alice in our hearts. It is hard to believe that a year has passed and Alice is gone. Yes, gone to Heaven. She so longed to go, prayed to go and couldn’t wait to go. She talked it, sang it, prayed it and longed for Heaven.
It was just revealed today in a new book release… “ROME (AFP) – Several hours before he died pope John Paul II muttered his last words, “Let me go to the Lord”, and then slipped quietly into a coma, his personal doctor revealed in a book published.
The last words I remember from Alice would ring just the same… “Let me go to the Lord and I love you.” We miss her but we rejoice that she is finally home.
thedailylily.com 
Sara,
I can’t read this blog without tears in my eyes, as I am reminded of the love that my grandmother had for everyone. She was truely a great inspiration and example for me. I can’t remember a time that she would not give the Lord the praise and direct your problems to Him. She would say, “honey, pray about it.” One of her favorite scriptures was Isaiah 41:31 (KJV) “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” My grandmother is missed by many, but now she runs and is not weary, and she walks and does not grow faint. Thank you, God for her life and for the seeds she planted, before you welcomed her into your Kingdom!
Dear Needles,
I remember going to your grandparents’ house with the Virginia team.
Your grandmother loved to sing and joined right in singing with the team. She loved your grandpa and took great care of him, and although he couldn’t say much due to illness, I’m sure he picked out your grandmother’s comforting voice. She had a voice that marched forward knowing the hymnal songs which had long been imbedded in her heart.
My mother’s favorite scripture was Isaiah 41:31 also. When looking for songs for her funeral, I found “On the Wings of Eagles” which was played at her funeral. My mother loved the scripture and drew strength from it just as your grandmother did. Now they can both run and not be weary and walk and not grow faint. Lord, what godly women they were and how they have touched and will touch many generations.
I remember Sis Furlough! We’d come up on the porch and she would squeal with delight & go & get out the hymnals. She was a godly woman because she LOVED much. She followed The Scriptures in 1John… “beloved, let us love one another, for Love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and loveth God..” and in another place in 1John…”he that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him…”
When I saw the photo of Sister Furlough and Sara, my heart lept, literally. The memories came flooding back. What a floodtide of beautiful, holy thoughts are associated with this loving saint of GOD. I believe that she and Sister Grandma, Jesus’ two dolls, have met and are in Heaven’s cloud of witnesses, leaning over the banisters of Heaven, urging us on, compelling us to persevere while sharing the joys and the rewards of eternal life of those who live in the Light of Christ’s love. We love you, Sister Furlough. We love you, Sister Grandma, Sister Raynor, Brother Furlough…the family of GOD!!!
You’re right, Needles, that your grandmother is missed. I felt very privileged, as part of the Virginia church Sara spoke of, to have been able to visit her. Her smile and joy and singing is what I remember most. I learned two of my favorite songs from her: “Drifting Too Far From the Shore” and “Never Alone”. She truly had a heart for those who may have been drifting and she truly had a confident spirit in her Lord that she was never alone. She was a testimony to me and I thank the Lord for her life.
I worked for Mrs. Furlough for many many years. I also worked with her husband when he was sick. She was such a sweet patient. I enjoyed every minute I spent with her. We had fun together, talked together, eat together. We did everything together.
She may forget a name but she never forgot her God. She forgot her children’s names some times but never mine. She would say, “Hazel.”
Sara would come and pray for her and sing to her and she would be so much more alert and better for weeks. Her son would say “Hazel, why is Mama so much better today and I would say, Sara came.” Both Mrs. Furlough and I would love to see Sara come. She would bring God to us. She has God in her.
I am happy to tell how much I enjoyed and loved Mrs. Furlough and her family.
Although I never got the opportunity to get to meet Mrs. Furlough, I know she was a very special lady. God blesses those that bless him. I look at Mrs.Furlough’s beautiful daughter and granddaughters and the blessings they are to others.Although I never had the blessing of meeting Mrs. Furlough, I feel like I know her through her passed down wisdom and the love that she taught her daughter and her granddaughters. Thank you Mrs. Furlough for who you were and what you left behind through your family.You truly have been a blessing. I know you are sitting beside our Lord smiling down at us all. God bless those who have taught us so much and God Bless Mrs. Furlough’s wonderful family.
I remember Sister Furlough and her loving touch, she would take my face in her two hands kiss my cheek and say I love you I love everyone…and I too learned the songs the others spoke of and when we would go and sing she would close her eyes sing with us and oh the peace and joy….she touched my life and I looked forward to visiting her when the team went to NC….she is truly missed by me..but one day I know I will see her again and get my face held in her two hands and get my cheek kissed again…..dj
Mother Alice, Today, it’s been a year but to me it seems like yesterday.
I miss you terribly. We had some real great times laughing at each other and with each other, as well as sharing our tears together.
I wouldn’t want to bring you back for anything. You are finally at home with Jesus whom you loved more than life itself. (Home at last)
I can see you sitting at Jesus’ feet singing songs of praise and holding hands with all your loved ones that went on ahead. Hallelujah!
I was just a daughter-in-law whom became a friend. You a Mother-in-law who became a friend. (to each other)
My faith today is stronger because of yours. You showed me that its Ok to show your love of God to others, to each other to be needed as well as in need. I wouldn’t change any of the time God gave me with you.
I have planted a piece of your beautiful pink rose here at Hollyneck and I have named it Miss Alice. You loved this farm and now we have a piece of your love growing here with us to see each day.
I thank God for the time we had together. I miss my kisses and hugs and I miss you. I love you. The daughter you inherited, the friends we became and your sidekick to the END. Love, Retha.