Inez Cooley Parsons
Funeral Service
Funeral Service for Sister Inez Cooley Parsons Tanner
Milford Ward
Conducted by Brother Nichols
Opening Prayer by Bishop E.R. Jones
Our Father, we a few of Thy children are gathered here this morning in the capacity to show our respects to one of our sisters that thou hast called home. Father in Heaven, we do humbly ask thee to let thy spirit be with us this day, let it be that what we do or say will be in accordance with thy holy mind. Father in Heaven, we do ask thee to look down upon us this day. Bless those who are called to mourn. Bless the dear husband of this dear sister that he will be comforted in his declining years. Father in Heaven, we do ask thee to bless the children, the relatives, that they will comprehend and understand that these things must be. And let it be, Father in Heaven, that they, along with us will so direct our walks in life that when the time does come that we too shall be called home, that we may be able to meet and dwell with this our dear sister, who we realize has lived a full and a good life. Now, watch over us this day. Protect us of all things. Let it be, that Thy spirit will be with us and watch over us. It is the desire of our hearts that we can pass with these things. We do it in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Duet sung by Brother and Sister Christianson –
MY FATHER KNOWS
I know my heavenly Father knows
The storms that would my way oppose;
But He can drive the clouds away,
And turn my darkness into day.
I know my Heavenly Father knows
The balm I need to soothe my woes,
And with his touch of life divine,
He heals this wounded soul of mine.
I know my Heavenly Father knows
How frail I am to meet my foes;
But He my cause will e’er defend,
Uphold and keep me to the end.
I know my Heavenly Father knows
The hour my journey here will close;
And may that hour, O faithful Guide
Find me safe sheltered by Thy side.
Chorus
He knows, My Father knows,
He knows I’m sure He knows
The storms that would my way oppose;
He knows, I’m sure He knows,
And tempers every wind that blows.
The other day I asked Sister Lucretia if she would write down the highlights in her mother’s life, in the life of Sister Inez Cooley Parsons Tanner and give them to me so that I could compile them into an obituary for today. She took time and wrote a little history of her mother’s life and I’m afraid to change it and put it into my words. It would be very inadequate at a time like this, so with minor changes that have been made this morning, I’m going to give you the obituary of Sister Inez Cooley Parsons Tanner as was given to me by two or her daughters.
Mother was born February 26, 1883 in the old Brighton Ward, Salt Lake. Her father was a bishop there. She was born into a polygamous family. There were four wives and 32 children. Her father died when she was just 5 years old. The oldest child of all 32 was only 14 years. Each mother had to take her children, make a living for them with their bare hands. All of the children had to help and share alike. Mother knew all of the hardships of pioneer life. They learned early to work and be thrifty.
When Mother was 7, the family moved to Cache Valley where she spent most of her life. She hired out as a housekeeper at the age of 11. All of the money she earned was sent home to her mother to help maintain the family. When she was a little older she worked for President George Albert Smith. She often spoke of what a wonderful man he was and how happy she was while there.
In 1903 she was married to James Henry Parsons and they made their home in Newton. Six children were born to bless their home; three boys and three girls. Beatrice, of Concord, California; Lucretia, Cedar City; Helen, Sunnyside Washington; LaVell, Passo Robles, California; Harold, Hood River Oregon; and Frank, Walla Walla, Washington.
Our home was a very happy one with a kind father and mother who lived only for their children and each other. Mother had six children, 19 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Mother was an active worker in Relief Society and during World War I, she was head of all Red Cross work in our area. She knitted endless sweaters, socks, and taught many others how to knit. In 1931 her husband was taken from her and she was left alone to raise her family and see that they got through school. She resided in Logan for the next 10 years, took in boarders while the children attended college.
In 1941 Mother married D.A. Tanner and has lived in Milford ever since. Relief Society people soon found out what a tireless worker she was and she was asked to help in many of their projects. She made 58 pieced quilt tops for them and many, many braided rugs. She was known all over the area for her beautiful crocheting and handiwork of all kinds. She loved to make pretty things and then give them away to make other people happy.
Mother and Dave have a host of wonderful friends and neighbors that they have enjoyed over the past 15 years. Everyone was welcome in their home and mother loved to cook and do things when she was able. They delighted to visit around with their children and grandchildren and we spent many happy hours together on these visits. In February of this year she was taken ill and was never able to throw off her illness. Death came June 4, 1957 in the Beaver County Hospital, and ended the life of a wonderful mother and wife.
Duet sun by Brother Deward Nay and Sister Gladys Whittaker
Beyond the Sunset
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning.
When with our Savior, heaven is begun.
Earth’s toiling ended, O glory dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done.
Beyond the Sunset no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy.
O day of gladness, O day unended
Beyond the Sunset, eternal joy!
Beyond the Sunset a hand will guide me
To God, the Father, whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome
Will be my portion on that fair shore.
Beyond the Sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting
Beyond the sunset forever more.
Should you go first and I remain
To walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear,
With happy days we’ve known.
In Spring I’ll watch for roses red
When fades the lilac’s bloom.
In early Fall when brown leaves fall
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.
Should you go first and I remain
One thing I’d have you do;
Walk slowly down that long, lone path
For soon I’ll follow you.
I’ll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same,
For some day down that lonely road
You’ll hear me call your name.
Speaker: Brother Ira M. Fisher
I would like to start today by saying that I have been a member of this lady’s family for 20 years and I find it very difficult at this time. I hope and pray that God may be able to inspire me to say those things which should be said this day, that I may be able to control my emotions and say some of those things I would like to say.
Several years ago as we left this chapel Sister Tanner talked to me about this occasion. She wanted to know if I would speak when it came, and at that time I found it very easy to say, “Yes, I would be glad to.” More or less I suppose because she was in good health, robust and jolly and I couldn’t foresee how closely this occasion would be. She is one of the finest women that I have ever known and may God grant me the power to express some of those things today.
I would like to begin by quoting a poem that I think very well expresses the philosophy that she had so far as religion is concerned. It is called, “The Earth Will Bloom Again.”
“All things were l ovely as they came from God’s own hand.
And beautiful was everything that the great Creator planned.
All things reflected perfectly the Heavenly Father’s love
And fair and good was every gift that came down from above.
This tranquil state of blessedness would not forever be,
For man must taste the bitter to understand the sweet,
So into Eden Satan came bringing death and sin
That we might travel heavenward and some day enter in.
In time the earth will bloom again for Jesus died and rose,
And blight and thorns will not be seen on anything that grows.
This is the precious promise of one for every kind
And former things will hurt no more nor come into the mind.”
We have gathered from far and near this day to pay homage, tribute to one of God’s servants who has left what we might say our frail existence here. Of our life between birth and death all of us have a pretty good understanding of things as they are, the things that are required of us, the things that we do because we can see with our mortal eyes those things and yet if we try to project our thinking before birth and after death we have less information on those two things. Therefore, we find that men and women of the world differ in their opinions of the things as they were and of the things as they will be. Sister Tanner had a very definite belief that she lived before she came to this earth, and she knew beyond a shadow of doubt that she would live after going through this thing which we call death here.
I remember talking to her not too many weeks ago and we had many fine visits during these last few months of her life, and she expressed to me many things that lead me to believe that she had a full faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and she believed in the things that he taught and in the scriptures that have been given us. She told me one particular time that she was not afraid to die because she had many loved ones on the other side who would be waiting there to greet her and to make her welcome, that she would know them and she would go on and have an enjoyable time there. At that time her chief concern was of course for the things of this life. She was worried about her children, how they were getting along, and would they get along, and would she get to see them and particularly she was interested in the fact that she didn’t want to be a burden to anyone and those of you who know her know that that would be one of her chief concerns. She said to me that she did not want to continue to live if she was going to be bed stricken and unable to take care of herself. And with that thing in mind, I am sure she is happy today and that is one consolation we can take from this occasion, was the fact that we know that her body was worn out and God has changed it to relieve her spirit of that worn out body.
Many times during her illness she called in the elders, her faith was indeed great. She would get to the point where she could not stand the pain and suffering and then she would ask us to lay our hands on her head, and through the power and authority of the priesthood that has been given to us we would bless her and ask our Father in Heaven to relieve her from that suffering, and many times she went off into a peaceful sleep after one of those administrations.
I remember her very well because of the fact that I lived in her house while I was attending college, as indicated in the obituary Brother Nichols gave to you. She was a mother to many boys who were away from home attending school. I was not the only one. There were many after I left. The close association we had with her there made us feel the spirit and humility and the love and the faith of that good sister. She took us into her home as though we were members of her family and we felt that way. Our freedom was unlimited. It was as though we had a second home. I think that any of the boys who lived with her would express that same thing. And if she were here today, I am sure that her thoughts might be expressed in that poem you have heard so often:
Dear Lord, Kind Lord,
Gracious Lord, I pray
Thou will look on all I love,
Tenderly today.
Weed their hearts of weariness.
Scatter every care.
Down a wake of Angel wings
Winnowing the air.
Bring unto their sorrowing,
All Release from pain;
Let the lips of laughter
Overflow again;
And with all the needy
Oh, divide, I pray,
This vast treasure of content
That is mine today!
And there is no doubt in my mind but what she is content today.
As we approach this time of parting from the people who we love, we find it very difficult to see them go, and yet with the background that we have, the knowledge which has been given to us, we know that it is only for a short while before we too shall pass through that thing which we call death and may again have the privilege of associating with those who have gone before.
And so as we part here this day on this lovely June morning I think it has been very lovely. I am sure that she would appreciate the fact that the day is so nice. She was a lover of nature, of flowers and beautiful things, as has been indicated. I think anyone who has ever visited her or knew her felt that love and the affection which she showered upon those people with whom she associated. In closing I would like to read a poem written by my wife, Beth, for Sister Tanner.
FOR INEZ, by Beth T. Fisher, June 6, 1957
“Tis unto me it has been done
When service ye have rendered.”
Thus spoke the Savior of mankind
While on the earth He lingered.
The life of her we mourn today
Fits well in application.
The words the Master uttered when
He made this supplication.
None came to her in want or pain
But that she heard their plea.
The sad and lonely, both she cheered
She did it, Lord, for Thee.
Loving Mother, tender wife
These she was and more.
Friends and neighbors, strangers too
Were welcome at her door.
Her love reached out, encircled all
Who chanced to come along.
I thank Thee, Lord, that I was one
Her blessing fell upon.
Her service here is ended now –
Father, she’s come to Thee.
May her example help us all
To live more fittingly.”
May we all live our lives as Sister Tanner lived, I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Duet sung by Brother and Sister Hughes
Sometime We’ll Understand
“Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land
We’ll read the meaning of our tears
And then, sometime, we’ll understand.
“We’ll catch the broken threads again,
And finish what we here began;
Heaven will the mysteries explain
And then, oh then, we’ll understand.
“We’ll know why clouds instead of sun
Were over many a cherished plan;
Why song has ceased when scarce began;
Tis there, sometime we’ll understand.
“God knows the way, he holds the key
He guides us with unerring hand;
Sometime with tearless eyes we’ll see.
Yes, then, up there, we’ll understand
Chorus.
“Then trust in God thru all thy days
Fear not for He doth hold thy hand;
Tho’ dark the way, still sing and praise,
Sometime, sometime, we’ll understand.”
Closing Prayer by Brother Nue Nelson
Our Heavenly Father, as we approach the conclusion of these beautiful services in honor and respect for Sister Inez Parsons Tanner, we wish to express our thanks and gratitude for Thy Spirit, which has been so manifest during this solemn hour. We are thankful for the beautiful floral offerings that convey the love and respect with which this good wife and mother is held in this community. We are thankful for the comforting words of Brother Nichols and Brother Fisher, and the songs that were rendered and the prayers given.
We especially pray that Thy Holy Spirit may rest down upon Brother Tanner, comfort him, and give him strength to withstand this great loss that has come into his life -- that of separation from his life mate. He stood faithfully beside her to the end. Comfort his children and their families, and Lillian, bless her in her tireless effort to be of help and assistance to Sister Tanner at all times. And to the children of Sister Tanner and their families, bless and comfort them. Death has taken its toll among their families. Harold who has lost a loving wife and mother. LaVell who was unable to be present has lost a loving wife and mother. And Sister Ford has lost a loving daughter. Bless and comfort them all. We pray for the grandchildren. May they be led and guided by the influence of Thy Holy Spirit. And Lucretia, bless her, she made many trips to be of comfort and help to her mother. We are grateful for the many blessings that come to us each day. May we so live as to be worthy of them..
And now, Heavenly Father, as the remains of Sister Tanner are to be taken to Newton, Cache Valley, for final services, we pray for Thy protecting care over the families and relatives and friends who must travel, that no harm or accident may befall them, and that all arrangements may be carried out as planned. To this end we dedicate these services in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.