FUNERAL OF BURNEY WILLIS BALLEW ORDER OF SERVICE at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Tuesday, February 14, 1098, 10:00 A.M. The funeral service of Burney Willis Ballew will reflect the life and times of Burney, combining both traditional and modern elements in a service which will last approximately 45 minutes. The cortège, preceded by the Congregation, will then move to the Auditorium. The congregation will remain standing as the Reverend Jim Holifield, says The Bidding. This will be followed by the singing of If We Never Meet Again, to music by Ruby Woolridge. The congregation will then sit for the first Reading, by the Reverend Jim Holifield: What time is it? The Time is Now! This was a saying that Burney picked up, And used on many occasions. It meant that tomorrow may never come; Yesterday is past; Today is Now; Live for today and enjoy it while you can. What time is it? The Time is Now! After the reading, The Singers, Henry Lippard, Norma Hamilton, Ron Gay, and Richard Williams, accompanied by Ruby Woolridge, will sing "The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere". The congregation will remain seated for the second Reading, by the Reverend Jim Hollifield: Burney was a self educated man; He never stopped learning. He was a humorist, a musician, and a rockhound. The congregation will remain seated while the Reverend Jim Hollifield reads some of Burney's favorite scriptures. Burney wrote a Church Bulletin called the "Twelve Steps To Heaven" , with a staircase showing the steps. Each step was described with a scripture. From Phil. 4:8 Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things.; And, John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again, and recieve you unto myself; that where I am ye may be also. Following the Reading, the Reverend Jim Hollifield will say a prayer. After the prayer, the congregation and the family will pass by the open coffin to pay their last respects to Burney. The cortège will then leave the Church for the journey to Riverside. At the graveside, the Reverend Jim Hollifield will say the Commendation. Let us commend our brother Burney to the mercy of God, our Maker and Redeemer. Burney, our companion in faith and brother in Christ, we entrust you to God. Go forth from this world in the love of the Father, who created you; In the mercy of Jesus Christ, who died for you; In the power of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens you. At one with all the faithful, living and departed, may you rest in peace and rise in glory, where grief and misery are banished and light and joy evermore abide. Amen. The Reverend Jim Hollifield then read a poem that Burney picked out for the occasion of his passing and that he carried around with him on a card. Miss Me -- But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room, Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little -- but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared; Miss me -- but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take, And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart, Go to the friends we know; And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, Miss me -- but let me go. --Author Unknown