Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, we gather in solemn joy to celebrate the homecoming of a faithful servant of the Lord, Christine "Betty Jo" Swopes, who was called to the Lord's side in the early hours of April 16, 2025. Born on a warm summer day, July 11, 1937, in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, Betty Jo's life journey took her from the southern soil of her birth to the bustling city of Chicago, where she was called to rest.

Betty Jo was a virtuous woman, a Proverbs 31 woman, who extended her hands to the needy and her heart to the Lord. Her spirit was a beacon of God's love, and her life was a testament to the grace of Christ. As it is written, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." (Proverbs 31:25, NIV). Betty Jo embodied this scripture, facing each day with a steadfast courage and a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms.

Her devotion to her family was unparalleled. Though preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leroy Swopes, and her cherished son, Lamont Leroy Swopes, her love for them never wavered. She embraced Antoinette Swopes, her daughter-in-law, with open arms and an open heart, pouring out the same love and care she held for her own. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Lamont Leroy Swopes Jr. and Latia Antonia Swopes, who were the apples of her eye and the recipients of her unwavering care and affection.

Betty Jo was a Christian woman through and through, her soul steeped in the Holy Scriptures. There was scarcely a Bible verse she did not know or could not recite, and her faith was as much a part of her as her very breath. She served as a caregiver to her two precious grandkids, nurturing them with the same love that Christ commands us to show to all God's children.

In the kitchen, Betty Jo was nothing short of a miracle worker, her hands blessed with the ability to create feasts that could rival the heavenly banquet. Her cooking and baking were not merely about feeding the body but also about nourishing the soul, bringing together family and friends in joyous fellowship.

Today, as we bid farewell to Betty Jo, let us not dwell in sorrow but rejoice in the knowledge that she has gone to be with the Lord. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV). Betty Jo now resides in that glorious place, free from the toils of this world, embraced in the loving arms of our Savior.

We will miss her laughter, her wisdom, and her boundless love. Yet, we take comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on, not just in memories, but in the way she shaped our lives with her grace, her compassion, and her unwavering faith. Betty Jo, you were a light to all who knew you, and your light will shine on in the legacy you leave behind.

Rest now in the peace of Christ, our dear Betty Jo, until we meet again at the feet of Jesus, where every tear will be wiped away, and joy will be everlasting. Amen.