Mom's Eulogy
Our family would like to thank you for joining us today, in the celebration the life, death and resurrection of two very important people our lives. It is because of the promise given by Christ, that we know mom is alive.
In John 11:25-26 Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."

So today, we won't be mourning the death of Margorie Burns, but celebrating the continued life she has now, with her lord and savior.
So, leave your mourning clothes and sackcloth and ashes in the closet. Because today, we are celebrating the life of Margie Burns in Jesus Christ.

Marjorie Eleanor Peirce Burns was born in Kansas City, Mo on September 2nd, 1932. Margie was the oldest child of, Robert and Anna-Pearl Pierce. Later their family was blessed with two boys, Raymond and Jimmie. At the age of 3, her family moved from KC, to a farm just outside of El Dorado, KS. They lived a simple life, as her father worked as a farm hand.
At about the age of 15, Margie decided that she was ready for the big city, she found a job as a live-in house cleaner for a widow woman who lived at the corner of Central and S Denver. That's just across the street from the old Middle School, now known as the Performing Arts Center.
As a junior at El Dorado High School, she met Gary, Now Gary's family had recently moved back to El Dorado, from Center, CO. Gary and his brothers worked on a potato farm, digging potatoes to make enough money to survive, and finally… have enough money to travel back to El Dorado.
The story goes, as soon as he saw Margie it was over…
Mom would tell us that during her junior year, she had a number of suitors, including a fiancé. But one visit to the house while the fiancé was there, put an end to that. As I understand it…
During her Senior year, Gary asked her to be his wife and their life together began.
It wasn't long until they were living in a little shotgun house against the railroad tracks, which was located on Star St. Today, if the house still existed, it would be on east side of the SW Traffic Way, where the truck route and Star Street would meet.
Not long after they started their new home, God blessed them their first son, Jerry and about 1 ½ years later, Sam was born, and 4 years later came, I came along.
Life continued on Star Street, Margie raising the boys, Gary working as a lineman for the Rural Electric Company. One evening while watching their little black and white TV, their lives were completely changed. They literally became different people.
It's hard for me to explain this transformation mainly because I was only 7 months old. But from the stories I've heard, both were truly looking through completely new eyes with a completely new purpose in life. Who was on this broadcast???
During this same time, Gary was building a new house west of El dorado in Township Village, on Village road. Before he was able to complete the house however, the area was hit by a horrific tornado that flattened most of their anticipated home. This delayed the move by another year but in 1959, we moved into our new home.
With their new found love for Jesus Christ, in June of 1957, they joined Temple Baptist Church. As a newly started church by Brother Hester, it was being led by their permanent pastor, Brother Doyle Patterson. If you're not aware, the original church location, it's located just down the street at is now called Calvary Tabernacle. The church was in that building as best as I know about 16 years.
Every time Brother Doyle asked them to take on a new role, the only answer he heard was yes.
I still remember at about the age of 15, "Brother Doyle" and I was standing on the old platform and he shared a story of how he made my father his song leader. He told me…
So shortly after… he asked Mom to teach the Junior High class and Dad the HS. Throughout their lives and service to God, it was always together, whether it was Tuesday night visitation, Wednesday night prayer meeting, Saturday preparation, Sunday morning teaching and leading singing.
Both always shared their driving passion for Christ and that others… would know him.
As a young boy, they purchased a Volkswagen Micro-bus so they as they said haul kids and pick up people on Sundays. I remember that little bus being packed, well over capacity while taking teens for a coke after Wednesday night Prayer meeting, as well as making those long trips to Sagmont Christian Camp each year. Later through donations, they were able to purchase and paint the church's first bus. Each month, they would fill that bus up to 50 kids as we headed for the monthly, Truth for Youth meeting. Dad would drive and Mom would make sure no "hanky panky" was going on in the back.
Dad continued to lead many of the men he worked with to Christ, which followed that example to lead in many of the now needed classes as the church continued to grow.
One of the most remembered annual events, which was held at this time of the year, was the Halloween Spook Walk. It truly was a church wide event. The adults would gather at our home and plan the event at an abandon farm. Mom would be planning the party and food, while Dad and the other men would develop a spook walk that would scar the toughest teenager in attendance. I remember only the strongest of men, which were typically linemen, were used to take the kids through one at a time because it was a common occurrence for these boys to try… to cut and run. I remember once when my brother Jerry, lost control of a young man about 6' 200+ lb and had to chase him down in a field in the middle of the night, assuring him it was all fake.
You may say, why so much about Temple. If you knew my mother and father, you would know they were passionate people. They love each other, they love their Savior and they did everything they could to bring others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ here at Temple. How committed where they to Temple?
I remember one Florida vacation, yes in that Volkswagen micro-bus, pulling pop-up camper, travelling speed of 45 mph… Dad pulled in front of a Florida Electric company for a pre-arranged job interview. Can you imagine how excited three boys in the back were, with the idea of living on a Florida beach.
Dad was offered a job, but didn't accept. Why… was it because of relation, or the house they built or the secure job? No, it was none of those things, it was because of how they were being used in the lives connected to Temple Baptist Church.
Hopefully I've shared enough about their lives together over the past 70 years you understand just how committed my mother was to her lord Jesus Christ. Please understand… I'm not saying she was a perfect person. Like probably every person in this room, she could be very opinionated, more that once this has been a point of conversation with her… dare I even state hard headed.
A couple of weeks ago I called her brother Ray and his wife Carol and let them know that we don't expect mom to be with us much longer. During that conversation, I mentioned something about how members of the Pierce family, can be hard-headed and I got a strong AMEN by someone behind my uncle.
So, even though she many of the same attributes as most of us, one of her other attributes was forgiveness. In her mind, once it was over, it was over. She did not hold grudges, she forgave and moved on. She was also as mentioned prior, one the quickest people to offer help in a time of need.
I remember one time a teenager in the church was kick out of her parents' home because she wanted to marry a young man in the church, and her parents did not approve. Not only did she invite this broken-hearted young woman in our home, but she arranged and paid for the wedding here at Temple. That was likely 50 years ago, and that couple is still married. This was my mom.
Over a 30-year period, mom and dad continued to pour Christ into everyone they came in contact with, whether it was Temple Teens, their Young Marrieds class, friends, acquaintances or customers at Margie's Fashions.
Well… I hope I've been somewhat successful in giving you a glimpse of who this woman is. I say IS, because she never died. She left her old worn out body and how has a new eternal body as she talks with other loved ones and waits.
The night she passed, Dad turned to me and said, "I wonder what she's saying?" in other words…
"I wonder what her reaction is as she looks at her new home as she looks into the eyes of her lord and savior?"

So, to sum it up, "Mom, we miss you… just be patient… we're coming."