Home | Taneshia Butler | Karsheika Graves | Memorial Service
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Thank you for joining us tonight for this candlelight service. The ministry of presence may be the best gift you can give a grieving family to help them deal with their loss. Tonight we are a grieving family and you honor us with your presence. We are here to remember and celebrate the lives of two beautiful young women, Karsheika Graves and Taneshia Butler. Both Karsheika and Taneshia were young mothers with the goal of becoming nurses so that they could help support their families. Our heartfelt sympathies go to their families.
For this country, September 11, 2001 became a defining moment. 9/11 made us realize that relationships are truly all that matter in this life. We renewed our relationship with God, we started spending more time with family and friends because in that moment on September 11, we had a glimpse of the frailty of life.
For this state, August 29, 2005 became a defining moment. Hurricane Katrina gave us a closer look at the frailty of life.
For this campus and community, February 8, 2008 is our defining moment. On February 8, we had a front row seat’s view of the frailty of life.
After September 11, Josh Hunt wrote, “We can handle almost anything under one condition. And that condition is that we understand WHY. But if we don’t understand why, almost anything is too much to handle.” That is our dilemma. It is difficult at this time to have more questions than answers. But we cannot let that hinder our healing process.
I believe that everything that happens to us in life must make us better, not bitter. This may be our hardest assignment. Hatred and bitterness come easy. THIS defining moment must change us to be the people that God needs us to be to serve this community and prosper this state. We must become better and forgiving.
Tonight we join together as a hurting family to begin the complex process of healing. The Butler and Graves families deserve our heartfelt sympathy, continual prayerful support and our love. The students and instructor who were in room 283 deserve and need our prayerful support. BR Tech needs your prayerful support.
February 8 changed our lives forever, but we were never alone. The community, the Chief of Police and his force, the mayor, Senator Dorsey, and other legislators were on campus supporting us. Colleagues and friends from across the state and nation have offered their support. Thank you for standing with us. You honor us tonight with your presence; please continue to support us through your prayers.
I’d like to close with two notes that were given to Sylvia Kleinow, instructor of this class. Recently this class gave her a gift of encouragement. I love it that our students encouraged their instructor. With the gift each student wrote Sylvia a note.
Karsheika, who obviously understands the value of relationships, wrote: “Ooh, God where do I begin. You have been a blessing for us! I’m really grateful for you. You have been the most understanding and heart filled teacher yet. I don’t think I’ll ever come across another person quite like you. Thanks for everything. Love, Karsheika. ”
I’m so pleased to be able to share the encouraging note that Taneshia Butler wrote to her instructor with the families, her classmates, and BR Tech. Taneshia wrote: “Be encouraged! No matter what’s going on. He will make it alright! But you gotta stay strong! Taneshia Butler.”
BR Tech, Be encouraged. Be strong.