June 27, 2004
On June 16, 2004, we celebrated my mother’s 100th birthday in Caldwell, Idaho. Although she was weak, she seemed to enjoy the occasion. She enjoyed the pink roses, the birthday balloon, the chocolate ice cream, and the presence of loved ones. She seemed less impressed by the letters of congratulation from the US president and the governor of Idaho. She especially enjoyed singing hymns with her family.
When we sang, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” she joined us, singing alto. When we sang, “I Know the Lord Will Find a Way for Me,” she lit up with joy—especially when we got to the second verse: “Won’t it be grand to hear him say, ‘Well done!’?” At that point, she nodded her head.
On Thursday morning, June 24, Mother went home to be with the Lord. My brother Darol and I preached her funeral Sunday June 27 at the church in Nampa, Idaho. Scriptures, songs, and prayers were led by family members. Her body was laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial the following morning.
Christine H. Ady was born in Nocona, Texas June 16, 1904 and lived on this earth 100 years and eight days. She was a missionary at heart.
After retiring at the age of sixty-two from teaching in public schools in Oklahoma and New Mexico, Mother went to Taiwan with Maudine and me and served as a missionary for three years. There, she taught dozens of Chinese young people in her home and led many of them to Christ. She also taught Ladies’ Bible Classes for Chinese women and missionaries’ wives and was affectionately known as “Mamaw” all over Southeast Asia.
When Mother became too old to travel abroad, she became a missionary in Nampa, Idaho. There, she was actively involved in the Joy Bus ministry and sat with several of the Joy Bus kids in worship. One of her Joy Bus girls is now the preacher’s wife at Nampa.
At the same time, she taught hundreds of WBS and WEI correspondence students. She spent many hours searching the scriptures in an effort to answer her students’ questions. Many of these students became Christians through her teaching. Some of them are now preaching the gospel.
When the Sojourners came to Nampa to conduct Vacation Bible Schools, Mamaw walked the streets with them, knocking on doors and inviting neighborhood children to VBS. Then, she taught them and baked cookies for them.
In her later years, Mamaw made quilts for children’s homes and lap robes for elderly people in nursing facilities.
Mamaw was truly a worthy woman. Today, her family and friends “rise up and call her blessed.”
At her family’s request, memorial gifts may be sent to WEI in her honor.
