Sharon
David Earl was my favorite male cousin. When I was a little girl, (he was 10 years older than me), he was always the one who sat on the porch with me and rocked in the glider; who listened to me as I talked with my dolls; who was just "there". When I got older and in high school, he always invited me to the Youth Group events that he hosted, even though he had to drive across Dallas to pick me up and take me home. When he applied to college, he asked me to go to the orientation with him, "in case there was some information that he didn't remember". I loved going to see him when he was away at school, and he encouraged me to come to the University he attended. I didn't, but he loved me anyway. At college, I met the man who would become my husband, and I could not wait to tell David Earl. When Steve asked me to marry him, the only person I thought of to marry us was my cousin, David. He counseled us before we married, and after we married, we attended church at David's small country church. When he preached, you could feel the presence of our Lord. David baptized my husband and my brother. I always knew that no matter where I was, I could call on him to counsel, advise, and inspire me. He, like his Dad, was, truly, a Man of God. I will miss him desperately. Although we have not "seen" each other for many years, we wrote to each other, and I confided in him, and his words gave me peace. I know it is a sad time, for he will be missed by so many ~ his sweet wife, his loving children and grandchildren, his friends, and his congregation. I will miss him so much, but I know that this was the "plan" from the beginning. David has gone "home". I will urge anyone who reads this to remember what David always told each of us at the end of his sermons, "The Lord is waiting for you."
He was weary and tired, and God and Jesus did exactly as They promised ~ They brought him to Heaven, where he will live forever with Them and all those who believe. I am so happy because I know my family is there waiting for me, and I know that my beloved cousin, David Earl, will be one of the first in line when I get to Heaven. Thank you, Lord, for my cousin, David Earl Hill. Please hold him close until I can hug him again.
Amen. ~ Sharon Sue Tucker
David's second cousin