Dear gracEmail family,
You have reached out to me and our family with gracious words and many emails, which I am just now responding to, and we are grateful for each compassionate word and shared memory.
I am posting links to both of the memorial services for Edward. I believe each one is a sweet window into the extraordinary life of Edward Fudge. The Franklin service participants included: Rob McRay, Henry Fudge, Robert Fudge, Paul Fudge, Aaron Fudge, and Pat Arrabito. Our daughter Melanie led the worship and our son Jeremy and his daughters spoke at the end. Jeremy concluded his remarks with a video clip of Edward’s preaching on our living hope built on Jesus’ righteousness, leading into the singing of that wonderful final song. At the Houston service, Jeff Christian opened the service, followed by friend Ann Bayliss and long-time friends Mark Whitt, Rev. Jerry Phillips, Jim Wood, Mark Lanier, and Joe Curtis, with Melanie and Jeremy performing the same roles as they did in Franklin.
Edward wrote his own obituary several years ago and had left us extensive notes about the scriptures, songs, and participants he wanted at his funeral. I will share two of his comments since this is his platform to share to you. “I want this to be a time of praising and worshipping God and looking to him for strength and courage and comfort.” “I will be sorry to miss out on what you guys are doing in years to come but that is the way with generations coming and going. Always trust God – he is real although invisible, and that is the most important thing you can do. Be nice to each other and support each other. I love you and will see you on Resurrection Morning! Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
