Thelma DeWitt – July 8, 2025

On behalf of Thelma’s family, I would like to thank each one of you for attending today to show your support and to take part in this celebration of life.

Thelma fought the good fight. She finished the race. She kept the faith. Thelma won! When she entered heaven, she was presented a crown of righteousness. This is why we celebrate.

Read Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Although today may be a difficult day, God’s Word makes this promise in Psalm 46:1-3. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Going back to Psalm 23, in verse 4, it says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

In these very difficult moments, God desires to be your refuge and strength. He wants you to rely on Him. In Hebrews 13:5 it says, “I will never leave you, I will never abandon you.” In times when you feel like God is far away (and you may be feeling that way right now), you must learn to live by faith, not by sight, and count on what God has promised.

We’ve gather as God’s people, conscience of others who have died and the frailty of our own existence on earth. We’ve come to comfort and support one another. We’ve come to remember and thank God for the life of Thelma. We’ve gather to hear God’s word of hope that can speak to our despair and move us to celebrate the strength and comfort we know in God’s love and care.

Let us pray. Almighty God, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble: we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and we thank you that you are with us, protecting us and giving us comfort. Grant us your light to shine through the shadows of this hour: Comfort Allan, Thelma’s husband of 63 years. Comfort the hearts that are heavy with sorrow, and have compassion upon our weakness. Give us the glimpse of the eternal realities, and console us with the hope of a larger life beyond the here and now; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Special Music (I’ll Fly Away) Congregation

Read Isaiah 43:1-3

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Read Obituary

Thelma Rae (Metheny) DeWitt, 80, of Terra Alta, WV, passed away peacefully at her home into eternity on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with her beloved husband by her side.

She was born on September 26, 1944, in White Oak (Terra Alta), WV, a daughter of the late William Lloyd Metheny and Nona Evelyn (Bolyard) Metheny.

Thelma is fondly known as “Gold Dusty.” She was a 1962 graduate of Terra Alta High School. She was a credit supervisor for the JCPenney Corporate Office in Pittsburgh, PA, and a credit analysis at First United Bank in Oakland, MD. Thelma flourished as a professional baker, making beautiful wedding cakes and pies, and a fantastic cook, making the best buckwheat cakes and deer steak. She enjoyed nature, being an avid gardener and loving all flowers, she had a beautiful voice and was a very talented alto vocalist.

Thelma served as a lifelong member and an active member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Cranesville, WV. She held several positions in the church – Adult Sunday School teacher, member of the Ladies of Faith, and a member of the choir.

Thelma is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Willard Allan DeWitt; sister, Carol White of Williamsport, MD; brother, Patrick Metheny and wife, Marilyn of Terra Alta, WV; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Metheny of Terra Alta, WV, and Cosette Harmon and husband, Edgar of Oakland, MD; brother-in-law Leo McBee of Oakland, MD; a large number of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.

In addition to her parents, Thelma is preceded in death by her brothers, Donald Metheny and wife, Ruth, and Stephen Metheny; sisters, Vera Dunson and husband, Edwin, and Priscilla Coppola and husband, Edward; brother-in-law, Robert White, and sister-in-law, Patty McBee.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all who brought food and stood by them over the last several years during Thelma’s fight with Vascular Dementia. They would also like to say thank you to the wonderful hospice staff with Amedisys Hospice for the excellent care of Thelma.

Special Music (Faith Choir, both Current and Former Members)

Second Reading: Matthew 25:31-40

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Personal Remembrances by Family and Friends

This is a celebration of life; the life of Thelma. Memories are a wonderful thing. Today, and in the days ahead, the family and friends will cry together, will cry in private. We’ll laugh together and we’ll laugh in private. Today, as you visit with one another, Thelma would want you to remember her as she lived, and she lived a great life. But even better than the life she lived on earth, she is living an even grander life with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You can cry for your loss but dont’t forget to smile when you think of Thelma DeWitt.

Message:

The message this morning is very simple:

While we are on this earth, we have a job to do.

Matthew 25:31-40

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Read John 14:1-4 Jesus tells us…

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms (many mansions); if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Thelma was a woman who was very content with what she had. She was not overly concerned about accumulating money or wealth to flash around or to show people. She was satisfied. I was told that Thelma would give a total stranger her last dollar if she believed it would help them. Thelma didn’t believe she needed the biggest or fanciest house in the community to be happy; four walls and a roof was quite fine for her.

We know that Jesus prepared a new home for Thelma to live in. Thelma’s new home is, NEW. No one has ever dwelt in it before. Her home is located in heaven.

In Revelation 21 and 22, we get a great description of heaven.

The most beautiful, wonderful, glorious home here on earth, does not hold a candle to the mansion Thelma has is heaven. The most beautiful, wonderful, glorious home here on earth will, one day wear out. Not her home in heaven. It will never wear out, never be in need of repair.

Once Thelma arrived in heaven, all tears were wiped away; there is no death, crying, pain in heaven. No need for hospital beds. In heaven, you are never hungry or thirsty. The temperature is not too hot or too cold, perfect! She will be singing and dancing to the Lord. She will be baking and working in the flower gardens of heaven.

Thelma is living in a gated community. Twelve gates surround her community of heaven. Each gate is a pearl. The street that Thelma lives on is not made of gravel, asphalt, or cement. Rather, its street is made of gold, so pure that you can see through it. Absolutely beautiful.

There is a river flowing through the middle of the street of gold and there is the tree of life.

I wish I could give a better description of what heaven looks like. I wish I could tell you everything that goes on there, but I am limited to what I read in the bible. What I do know is that it is so much better than what I can think or imagine.

I also know this for certain. Heaven is for everyone, but, Everyone doesn’t go to heaven. It is only for those who have their names written in the book of life. Is your name written there? You may say, “I don’t know?” Let me tell you how you can know. And it is simple. 5 quick questions.

Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God?

Do you believe Jesus came to this earth and died for your sins?

Do you believe he rose from the dead?

Do you believe he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father?

Do you believe Jesus when he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. That no one comes to the father except by him.” Meaning there is no other way to get to heaven except through Jesus. No other religion, not being a good person.

>> The bible simple says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” “There is no other name under heaven by which you might be saved.” It also says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.”

Heaven is a choice. Thelma made that choice. If you would like heaven to be your home after your time on earth is over, I’ll be around.

Special Music (Amazing Grace My Cahins Are Gone)

Let’s Pray

Loving God, your eyes are always upon us, nurturing us through all the days of our lives, sheltering us by your grace and preparing a special place for each of us in eternity.

We give you thanks and praise this day, O God, for the life of Thelma Rae DeWitt. Welcome her, merciful God, into your joyous, eternal home.

We ask you, Lord, to be with Thelma’s family and friends as they walk through the valley of deep shadows where it feels as if the sun will never shine. Let the bright light of your love and compassion reflect into all the dark crevices of their continuing journey. Lift them from the depths of sorrow and pain. Allow their feelings of loss to be surmounted by comforting memories of good times spent with the one they loved. Lead them by the still waters of peace, and anoint them with the oil of faith. We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus, who came into the world that we might have unending joy and eternal life. Amen.

Committal

Ecclesiastes 3 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

We gather to remember Thelma Rae DeWitt who lived a full life in the previous years but toiled in the latter. The scriptures teach us that our bodies are made of the dust of the ground and to the dust of the ground we will return. But we are more than dust, for when God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, man became a living being. He also breathed a spirit into these temporary bodies, and that is what lives on today. These bodies serve us only as the temporary dwelling place for our restless spirits.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 says, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

Thelma has laid aside her temporary house. It was made of this earth and to the earth it shall return. But her spirit lives on with eternal life. And now her spirit is in the hands of the same loving God who tenderly cared for her in life. He also has provided life everlasting for those who will call upon His name.

The Bible promises that one-day death will be no more. How we long for that day to come. Until then, may we live in anticipation of the time when we, too, shall lay aside the cares of this life, as Thelma has, and take up the joys of eternal life.

God’s Garden

God looked around his garden

And found an empty place,

He then looked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids

And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

Payer of Committal

O Lord Jesus Christ, you wept beside the grave of Lazarus and were touched by feelings of sorrow. Fulfill now your promise not to leave your people comfortless, but to come to them. Be present with us in your gift of the Holy Spirit and in your promise that “you are the resurrection and the life.” As we turn to you in living faith, comfort us now that we may have sure confidence in you for all that is ahead, this day and the days to come. And now, may the grace, the mercy, and the peace of God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit Comforter, go with us now and forever. Amen.