MEMORIALS

This page is dedicated to those we have known and loved, and who have gone on to their eternal home. Due to recent advances in technology, we are now able to post videos that celebrate the lives of our loved ones so that they can be seen by anyone who was unable to attend their memorial services, or so that we who remain can simply watch, remember and reflect. Posted here you will find memory photographs, memorial slide shows set to music, or recordings of full memorial services, depending on what is available to post. If available, we will also provide links to pdf files showing printed bulletins from the memorial services, as well as the life stories of those remembered.

Videos and Photos of Remembrance


  • Betty Jean Ruddock: She “didn’t have no money” but she had Jesus.

    At EPC, Betty is legend. She would show up at church most Sundays wearing her trademark flowered hat and her trademark smile, with her family in tow: daughter Carrie, son-in-law Joel and three grandkids. From a family of itinerant fruit pickers, you could just tell she’d worked hard all her life, been through a lot, and had a few stories to tell.

    Carrie’s poem about her puts it all into words. But you have to click the link at left to watch the beautiful memorial service for Betty, and hear Carrie’s poem in its entirety. It starts out, “My mama didn’t have no money,” and says everything that needs to be said.

    To see the bulletin and family pictures from the service, click here.

  • richard B. "Dick" Quick: "Well, Whatever's important."

    Anyone who knew Dick Quick knew he was a real character – with real character. His family describes him as a man with a strong sense of right and wrong, and an expectation that folks take responsibility for who they are and what they do. Whenever anyone ran afoul of these guidelines, he would say, “Well, whatever’s important!”

    And it was easy to see that the two most important things to Dick were his family and his church. He and Mary Ann (whom he called Bride) were here every Sunday, come what may. Even in his last months, they would be watching online, and we all knew they were with us.

    To see his memorial service and find out a lot more about the life he lived, click the video icon at left. To see the the bulletin for that service, click here.

  • Mamie Wells: The Heart of a Nurse. The essence of Southern Charm.

    Just being around Mamie brought a smile to our faces. There was a sense of gentleness about her, a sense of dignity, contentment, assurance, and quiet beauty.

    Mamie’s life was dedicated to caring: for all the many members of her family throughout the years; for so many hurting people in her life’s work as a nurse; and for the congregation she loved here at EPC. One look from her, and you knew she cared about you. And you knew everything was going to be okay.

    The fruit of Mamie’s caring life is clearly witnessed in the recorded celebration of her life, viewable by clicking the link at left. To see the bulletin for that service and read her life story, click here.

  • CHERYL LYNN (BLEM) PATRICK: "LIKE FOOD TO MY SOUL"

    They played "A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men at Cheryl's memorial service, a song about what it was like to love and be loved by her. Cheryl was a mama to many, three by natural birth, and over 500 children as a foster mother. Then she adopted the last of her foster children and raised her as one of her own.


    Cheryl entered her rest just a month after her own mother, Helen Blem, passed into eternal glory (see below). And although we mourn their passing, seeing the many children and grandchildren who had passed through the doors of EPC so many times over the years, brought peace and hope to our hearts.

    To see a short video with the program and family pictures from Cheryl's memorial service, click the link at left.

  • HELEN BLEM: "A WALKING BIBLE, A SERVANT OF THE LORD"

    Seldom is there seen a person so humble, so grounded in Scripture, so ready to share her faith as Helen Blem. She spent her life serving the Lord and taking care of her family.


    Helen’s tenure at EPC spanned more than four decades. For many of those years, she led the Adult Sunday School class, and for the rest of those years she remained in the class, sharing her amazing knowledge of the Bible and never missing a Sunday. If there was ever a Bible Study, Helen was there. If there was ever a prayer meeting, she was there. Her prayers were mighty.


    Over the years, a growing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren filled the fourth pew on the right and came to be a part of our family. And what a blessing to see them all standing in line to testify as to her impact on their lives at the memorial service. To see the service, click the link at left. To see the bulletin and her life story, click here.

  • MARLENE REYNOLDS: “I’M DOING OKAY. I JUST TALK TO GOD EVERY DAY.”

    Steadfast, faithful, forever cheerful and positive, Marlene Reynolds was part of the lifeblood of EPC for many, many years. She and her husband Gil kept EPC working like a well-oiled machine, he making sure our buildings and grounds were always in top notch shape, she as office administrator, deaconess and so much more.

    After Gil passed away in 2014, Marlene continued her faithful involvement in all things EPC, even starting a support group for women who had lost their husbands. As her daughter-in-law Karen said in the memorial service, Marlene liked everything to be “just right.” And so things still are, because of the impact she made here.

    To see her memorial service, click the link at left. To see the bulletin for her memorial service including her life story, click here.

  • Carol Franken: "invested in people"

    In Phil Franken's tribute to his mom, he made it clear that if you came into Carol Franken's life, she would ask you questions until she knew your entire life story, and you became someone she invested in forever. Carol was a faithful member of the EPC family for many years and will be dearly missed.


    To see a recording of the memorial service for Carol, please click the link at left. To see the bulletin for the service and Carol's life story, click here.



  • Rev. Carlyle Spohr: "Let it shine."

    Pastor Carlyle was our beloved interim pastor from 2008 to 2010. Many memories of Carlyle still linger among the people of EPC, but his spirit is perhaps best reflected in the song, "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine."


    Carlyle passed away during the pandemic, and his wonderful wife, Darlene, was finally able to have a memorial service for him in June of 2021 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock. To see a recording of that service, please click the link at left.

  • Suzanne Craig: "We'll see ya when we see ya – grams"

    Suzanne Craig was a beloved member of our congregation known for her joyful nature (on fire for the Lord), taking love loaves of bread to new people in the neighborhood, and for tending the EPC garden with great care and affection -- among many other things.


    Suzanne went home to be with the Lord in March of 2020, and we weren't able to celebrate her life together because of COVID-19. But her daughter, Georganne Kinnunen, sent this memorial video. And it is a wonderful tribute to a life well lived.


    If you knew her at all, you will want to see this video. So, grab a box of tissues, click the link at left, and remember.