Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Dear Melita,
I wanted to share with you my remembrances of Rex, and I find that as I remember back over the years, I think of you both as one, Pastor & Melita, Rex and Melita. I don’t seem to think of one without the other. You said it yourself the other night as we enjoyed dinner together, “we were joined at the hip.” How true.
As I shared with you Tuesday night, you and Rex had a very big impact on my faith and on my life and that of my family. After being away from the church for about 10 years, one Easter morning (1980) I brought my daughter, Eryn to Easter morning service. I cried most of the service (Evelyn George was beside me) because I knew I’d “come home.” To the Lord, and to His people.
The next Sunday Rex made it a point to talk to me after service and made me feel so welcomed and at home. That was the thing you both did: you made everyone feel like they were family. As Steve traveled for his job and was gone so much of the time, I was essentially a single mother. It was very difficult, but Central gave me a family, a home. Eryn and Michael felt so at home and loved, as I did. A few years ago Eryn and her family joined a church in Cottage Grove and told me, “it’s like Central mom. There are lots of older people and it’s wonderful. They just love us, and we love them.” You can imagine the smile on this mother’s face.
Fast forward and I was working as the church secretary. Ever since I have loved working in the church. You and Rex modeled for me the perfect mix of love, compassion, hard work, understanding, and even the heartbreaking work of the church. You both worked tirelessly caring for, ministering to, feeding, teaching, grieving with and for loved ones. One of the things that has always stood out to me was your ministry to the families of those who committed suicide. When other pastors would not minister to the families of suicide victims, the police knew they could call on you both. I can only imagine the many, many families that were blessed by your compassion, understanding and love during heart breaking times.
I could go on and on, but let me touch on how Rex loved you, and loved his family. I can still hear his voice saying your name. He always said it with such a tone of adoration, and of respect. It always made me smile. When Rex talked about Eric, Lenita or Lisa, he beamed. I could tell he thought they were so smart, creative …… just perfect. What a father! And then when his grandchildren came along, oh my! His eyes lit up, his voice filled with joy and he would laugh that wonderful laugh. Speaking of Rex’s laugh, what a sense of humor he had! You both had a wonderful way of communicating joy and bringing those around you into it. You blessed me so often with that joy and laughter.
Rex’s love of God and people, his tireless caring, and his wonderful sense of humor, smile and laugh will be remembered by all of us who knew him. I will remember him, and you sweet Melita, with a deep gratitude for the part you both have played in my life, and in the life of my family.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. -Numbers 6:24-26
With much love and admiration, Linda Kebbe
(503) 505-9978
