Hospice holds memorial service

By ROBBY LUCKE
Staff

50 people attended Hospice of Alleghany's annual memorial service last Sunday at the Senior Citizens Center.

Hospice and Grandview Memorial Funeral Home hosted the "Light Up a Life" Christmas Tree and Memorial Service to honor and remember friends, relatives and colleagues.

Beth Holcomb, hospice volunteer coordinator and Sharon Davis, funeral assistant at Grandview, read the names of those recently deceased, including 24 who have passed away in the past year.

Rev. Jim Pollard of First Baptist Church in Sparta shared a message from I Corinthians 13. Michelle Joines sang "Under His Wings" and played "Amazing Grace" on the violin.

In remembrance - Kaye Sebastian, Doris Greene, Joyce Higgins and Gail Reece
light candles in memory of their loved ones as Millie Swenk (far left) looks on.

Near the end of the service, four candles were lit, similar to advent candles. The candles represented grief, courage, memory and love. Candles were then lit among the congregation.

"It was a time of remembrance, but it was a bittersweet remembrance for all of us," Holcomb said.

She said hospice is thankful to the individuals, businesses and organizations who helped prepare for the service. Hospice also held an open house Dec. 1 at its office. Pictures were on display there from hospice centers from around the state.

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