-
The pool table was brought from Joseph Pray Sr.’s house as a surprise to the family. It encouraged friends, family members, and pool league buddies to recreate Drew’s memorable shots and relive the debate whether it was Drew’s skill or luck.
-
The pool table was brought from Joseph Pray Sr.’s house as a surprise to the family. It encouraged friends, family members, and pool league buddies to recreate Drew’s memorable shots and relive the debate whether it was Drew’s skill or luck.
-
Parts of Drew’s beer collections, and MSU memorabilia were throughout the room.
-
A putting green was spread across the front of the chapel. Drew’s putter stood ready in a stand, teasing guests to try their hand sinking a golf ball into the cup at the foot of the casket. Encouraging friends and league buddies to recall past games they shared with Drew.
-
Drew’s bowling ball, along with bowling pins, borrowed from the local bowling alley were set up at the head of the casket.At the close of the service Drew’s brother, Kyle stepped to the head of the aisle and rolled a perfect strike for Drew – Drew’s Last Strike. As the pins fell, family and friends erupted into long lasting applause and cheers.
-
A puppet similar to Drew’s favorite puppet was displayed at the head of the casket recalling the many times he entertained family and friends with his antics.
-
Pray Funeral Home’s golf course backdrop hung behind the casket. This life size image depicted a green at the local golf course that Drew had played many times.This photo was taken after the service to protect the modesty of the deceased.
-
To recall the stories of Drew’s many visits to the local Casinos with friends, Pray’s secured a slot machine to include in the vignettes.
A THEATRICAL EVENT
The Memorial for "B.C." Barbara Collinsworth-Johnson was held in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. A beautiful auditorium that Barb helped design after her retirement as a speech and drama teacher at Charlotte High School.
The service featured eight family members, friends, and co-workers who shared their treasured memories and stories with the many people who attended.
An alumni choir of 40 of Barb's students participated in the service as well as a Jazz Quintet who serenaded Barb with a Dixieland rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In".
In between the different "Acts" of the service, portions of Family Album video prepared by Pray Funeral Home was shown on the large screen suspended over the stage.
-
The Memorial for "B.C." Barbara Collinsworth-Johnson was held in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. A beautiful auditorium that Barb helped design after her retirement as a speech and drama teacher after Charlotte High School.
-
One of the focal points was her custom painted casket which was painted her favorite shade of purple with her favorite accent green. Her signature nickname BC was were painted on the foot her casket.
-
The marquee poster outside the auditorium featured a caricature of Bar along with some of her programs from productions she had directed at Charlotte High School.
-
The service was concluded with Barb's favorite ending, the MSU Spartan's Fight Song, as the MSU Cheerleaders Ran down the aisles to the stage and Sparty, the MSU mascot stepped out on stage waving Barb's alma-mater flag.After a closing prayer the guests were led out of the auditorium by Sparty and the Cheerleaders to the reception in the School Cafeteria to the sound of Kool and The Gang's "Celebration".
-
Dade's trusted pair of mules pulled numerous covered wagons, open wagons and buckboards.
-
A wagon train of five wagons and numerous outriders downtown en route to the cemetery near his farm.
-
The wagon train continues into Gresham Cemetery.
-
The main wagon carrying Dade to his final resting place.
-
Uniforms don't need to feel like uniforms. But details like this are what can make the perfect celebration suited to the life lived.
-
Loved ones carry Dade to his final resting place in Gresham Cemetery.
-
The procession to the cemetery included over 20 ambulances and fire trucks, truly an unusual funeral procession to all who witnessed it pass by the Capitol Building in downtown Lansing. Each car in the procession had a window cling decal that proclaimed R.I.P. Coop over accompanied by an EMT sign.
-
The Funeral service was conducted at Dart Auditorium on the campus of LCC to accommodate the crowd of admirers and family. Piano music filled the auditorium as people gathered.
-
The stage was set with some large portraits of Tim from one of his students which was embraced by Tim's bear skin rug as a sign of the big bear hugs Tim would have for friends and family.
-
At the conclusion of the committal service at the cemetery a Life Flight helicopter circled overhead as a salute to Tim, and then climbed into the distance symbolizing that Tim's soul had been carried to the heavens.
AN AVIATION SEND OFF
This loved one had developed a love of flying, earning several certifications and flew a variety of aircraft during his flying career. He also built a number of model aircraft over the years.
At the time of his funeral and visitation his favorite model aircraft were displayed suspended in flight in the room. Pictures of his days in the Flight Control Tower and other memorabilia was also displayed.
At the conclusion of the funeral service, as the family accompanied the casket to the funeral coach a distant roar of an airplane could be heard. As the sound grew a white aircraft streaked overhead, engine roaring as the propeller clawed at the air. As the airplane passed over the crowd the pilot, a member of the funeral home staff, pointed the nose skyward and climbed into the blue sky symbolizing the soul being carried heaven ward.
