It’s over! The battle with lung cancer gone wild is over! My dear sister-in-law, Gail Luckadoo Dobbins, has a new home. She has left behind her worn out “tent” and taken up residence in a mansion in heaven.

Family and friends celebrated her life and homegoing Friday, January 11, 2019, at Trinity Baptist Church, Mooresboro, North Carolina; but she left us and moved “home” on Tuesday when pneumonia finally took the remaining breath from this saint—a beautiful woman both outside and inside.

It was my pleasure to have been Gail’s sister-in-law since October 15, 1961. More than a relative by marriage, though, she was the sister I never had, a dear friend and confidante. I loved her easy-going ways, her sweet disposition, and her quirky sense of humor. She could get so tickled over little things.

My last days with her were spent watching My 600 Pound Life, Pimple Popper, and Say Yes to the Dress—TV shows that she liked. Even though I’m not a fan, I enjoyed just spending time with her.

I will miss her sweet ways, her compassion, and her encouragement—even when she was the one who needed encouraging. I will miss our late-night phone conversations when neither of us could sleep—chatting about anything and everything—and nothing.

Gail faced many struggles in her life, but she was not a whiner nor a complainer. Though she would never have seen herself in such a way, I saw her as the biblical character Deborah, the fearless leader of her little family who never gave up. Faced with numerous tragedies—the loss of her only son Jason in an automobile accident; the loss of her father Boyd; the many years of care giving for her mother Joyce before her death; the passing of her husband Dean from lung cancer; the extended illness and death of her only brother Gerald; the tragic death of her nephew Garrett, and ultimately her own bout with lung cancer which had metastasized to her bones and other parts of her body, she remained strong. She adored her only grandson Andy, his wife Keelee, and great-grandchildren, Paislee and Peyton.

Superintendent of Station Services and Human Resources Consultant with Duke Energy for many years, she retired early in order to spend time with precious family.

She loved her church and community. A member of Trinity Baptist Church, she enjoyed playing the piano and singing in the church choir.

Ever a prayer warrior, she spent time every day interceding for others and reading her well-worn Bible and her favorite devotional books, Jesus Calling and Jesus Always. As 2019 dawned, she was excited to begin reading through a new chronological Bible since hers was very worn. I think you can learn much about a person by checking out the condition of her Bible.

Facing surgery for throat cancer on January 2, 2019, she wrote in the margin of Jesus Always the night before:

“My Lord and my Joy will walk with me tomorrow. Thank you, Jesus.”

Little did she know that this would be her last entry, for the battle was almost over. Her favorite passage from John 14 was soon to be a reality:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself. . . I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:1-3, 27

Praise God, the victory is won! As Paul wrote:

^“Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?^[l”

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56 NKJV)

What a victory! What a party! I can just imagine the reunion that is taking place in heaven!

Yes, on Tuesday it was a time of death, of crying and grieving here on this earth. In the heavenly realms, though, I believe that afternoon was just the beginning of a joyful celebration! There was a family reunion beyond family reunions taking place! Lots of food. Lots of laughter. Lots of talking. Gail was at last reunited with Jason, Dean, and all her dear family who had already moved to heaven. I believe they gathered on Tuesday afternoon to welcome her home. I can see them in my mind all waiting together on the mansion’s porch ready to celebrate Gail’s arrival. Wow, what a party!

Goodbye, dear Sister! I will miss you, but I am very glad that the battle is over! One day perhaps we’ll sit in heaven’s rockers and enjoy a late-night chat once again. After all, we’ll have all eternity to catch up!

What about you? Lost a dear friend or loved one recently? Still grieving for him or her? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

In Paul’s words, “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” (Romans 1:7 NLT)

PS Thanks to all of you who read and share my posts and write encouraging comments. I appreciate you very much!