Heartbreaking Family News
Precious readers,
With deepest sorrow and with sure hope, I must share very difficult news with you. Out of respect for the privacy of our precious daughter Bethany, I have not shared publicly until now that she was diagnosed with cancer on March 3, 2023. She fought very hard. For a short while, she was pronounced cancer free, but the cancer returned and spread. Last Monday evening Ray and I got to see Bethany smile, tell her we loved her, and hear her say, “I love you very much.” Over the next several hours, her devoted husband stayed by her side. Her homeschooled daughters ages 9 and 11, brother John, sister Mary Evelyn, Ray and I, and a few friends shared precious times with our Bethany before she went home to be with the Lord about noon on Tuesday, July 30. Her faith was strong; her confidence was sure.
She was 43 years old. The funeral was on Saturday.
Our joyful Bethany served God here in ways that deeply blessed her family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Person after person told us that on Saturday, even the doctor who cared for her in the hospital for most of the last three weeks. And now she has gone before us to live with God forever. Our hearts are broken in deep grief, but, like Bethany, our hope is sure.
Jesus said to [Mary], “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who believes in Me will never die.
John 11:26-26a
I am so sorry for your earthly loss. Heartbreaking indeed. I’ll be praying for your whole family.
Oh Charlene, my heart is breaking for your entire family, especially Bethany’s children. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Your family will remain in my prayers.
Dear Mrs. Notgrass,
I am saddened to hear of Bethany’s passing. Please know that my family will be praying for yours!
God bless you,
Ann Katherine Bryan
My heart breaks for you and your family. May God comfort you over the coming days.
Blessings
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so glad you have faith; Christ will see you through.
My oldest brother died suddenly when I was about 13, he was 21. It was probably the hardest thing my mother ever went through, but she got through it with Christ. She always had a couple sad days every year – his birthday and deathday. But even on those days she held to her faith that she would see him again. Faith doesn’t take away the grief but it softens it.
I still miss my brother, and now my mother too, but knowing I will see them and know them as my family means the joy overcomes the grief.
I’ll be praying for your whole family to feel His love even in the grief.
Oh Charlene. My heart is breaking for you and your family. I am crying for you this morning. I have this last while often thought about when you shared Bethany’s health struggles with me last year, and figured all had turned out well, so I am so very, incredibly sorry for this painful news.
I will be keeping you all in my prayers, especially Bethany’s husband and sweet children. My own daughters are 11 and 9 as well. God is with you all I know, and will care lovingly for your family as you walk through this valley with Him carrying you. I am so overjoyed to know that you have the beautiful promise of being reunited with Bethany one day in heaven. God bless you guys.
Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit”
Dearest Charlene, Ray, and family—I am weeping with you over this terrible loss of your precious daughter Bethany. I am so very sorry! I cannot imagine the heartbreak that you are feeling. It it were possible, I would hug you and just be there for you, ‘tho we have never even met in person. As a mama, I deeply feel your grief at the brokenness of this world, where parents lose their children in such a bizarre reversal of the natural order of things. Such losses should not be.
I also share your Hope, whose name is Jesus. Because of Him, your Bethany is forever cancer free, forever alive with her Savior, and you will hold her close to you again someday, in eternal joy. Meanwhile, I am praying for you, as you grieve her absence in this world, as you process, as you surround your dear son-in-law and those precious grandbabies and help them cling to that sure Hope. I love you, Charlene, with that love that binds together the hearts of believers in Christ. Thank you for allowing us to grieve and pray with you.
So sadden by your loss. Thank you for sharing about your beautiful daughter and her faith. May God comfort you and Ray and her family during the difficult days ahead. I’m holding you all close in prayer and thoughts today.
So sad to hear. Praying God will give comfort to each member of your sweet family.
I remember Bethany’s sweet smile while she helped create music for the Homeschool practices and plays in Cookeville. Always patient -even in the midst of musical disorder at the beginning of the practices.
So talented and beautiful.
Thank you for telling us of her faith.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May the Lord comfort and carry you, dear Notgrass and Poore families, in this heartbreaking loss and deep grief.