ASHLEIGH BROUGHT JOY TO HER FAMILY

She loved her family more than words can say.  She loved her mother, her father, her brother, and her sister.  Cindy, a close friend of the family, said that one of her favorite memories was seeing Ashleigh and Jason walking arm in arm together at Bate’s Nut Farm.  How many brothers and sisters were as close as these?  And Ashleigh looked up to her older sister, Allyson, following her lead in playing the xylophone and in pursuing the House of Ireland Royal Court.  When they would come as a family to our church, they were always happy to just be together.

When I talked to Jason he told me “no brother was ever more fortunate or happier to have someone bring so much joy into his life.  To have someone make her own brother feel like he could do anything – she treated me like a hero always.  She was never a burden – she was the best sister any brother could ever have.”

She loved the holidays – and bringing out all of the decorations for the changing of the seasons.  Her all-time favorite holiday was Christmas.  She loved to be the one to keep the baby Jesus from the nativity set until Christmas morning and then put him into the manger.  One interesting thing I just learned today is that the baby Jesus piece was found in the ashes of their home – the rest of the nativity was burned up, but the one piece that was not burned was the baby Jesus.

 

ASHLEIGH BROUGH JOY TO HER FRIENDS

All of you who knew Ashleigh are here today because she brought joy to your life.  You have many memories that I am not able to mention today – short conversations or long years of friendship. 

 

ASHLEIGH BROUGHT JOY TO HER CHURCH

On the several occasions that the Irish Dancers have come to our church, it has always been a highlight for our church family.  Folks at Westminster always felt that this youngest member of the Roach family was a pure delight, and to watch her dance would make us all feel young inside.

 

ASHLEIGH BROUGHT JOY TO HER HEAVENLY FATHER

She was raised in the Christian faith from her first breath.  She always treated me with so much respect as her pastor, but also with so much warmth and affection.  She loved our youth director, Rob, and his singing.  She loved her church and thought everybody should go to Westminster.   She kept her Bible on her bedside stand, and all on her own started reading it, starting in Genesis and working her way through the Bible a chapter or two at a time.  When I asked Lori about Ashleigh’s faith, she said “there was never a day that she did not know God, and Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord.  She fully believed that the angels in Heaven and the Lord Jesus are watching over us all.”  Ashleigh’s faith in God was a pure faith – it was unwavering – she never doubted, never questioned that there was a God and that Jesus was his only begotten son.  It was just part of her life, and plain as the nose on your face.

These are just a few of the things we are thankful for about Ashleigh’s life.   Even though she died at such a young age, she lived such a full life.  She has touched so many of us through the years.   Each of you has memories of her life that you will hold sacred for years to come.  Let’s remember the good things about Ashleigh that we are thankful for. 

Ashleigh’s piano teacher, Lori Duvall, is going to play an important piece of music (which she did, at the Memorial Service).  Moonlight Sonata would have been the final piece that Ashleigh would have prepared to complete the particular book she was working on.  While Ms. Duvall plays Moonlight Sonata, I invite you to take time to remember Ashleigh and to give thanks for the memories that you have of her.

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