News at ABWE
Funeral for Dr. Harold T. Commons
On Saturday, July 28, a funeral service was held for Dr. Harold Commons at First Baptist Church in Ticonderoga, New York, where he had been a member for over 60 years. Family members gathered to thank God for the life of their “Poppy.” Fifteen people from ABWE were in attendance representing the Board and ABWE family.
Every part of the service brought glory to God as Dr. Commons was remembered and honored. Pastor Larry Maxson gave a warm welcome and special thoughts. Harold’s granddaughter, Cindy Commons Richner, sang “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” Special tributes were given by Dr. Commons' children and grandchildren, and his son Bill Commons gave a meditation. Dr. Michael Loftis and Dr. Wendell Kempton also gave tributes and shared a video clip of a conversation between the three presidents of ABWE, which was shown during this year’s 80th anniversary celebration. In that video, Dr. Commons closes by reciting the lyrics to Amazing Grace and praying a sweet prayer in which he thanked God for His steadying hand upon ABWE. The funeral service ended as the attendees sang the hopeful song “Because He Lives.” Following the service, family and friends gathered at Dr. Common’s graveside at Valley View Cemetery.
Dr. Loftis states, “I would like to thank the ABWE family for their prayers for the extended family of Dr. Commons. The Lord gave us a time of rejoicing and celebrating his life. We are thankful that a clear presentation of the gospel was given by Harold’s son, Bill Commons, and grandson, Tracy Commons. In our tributes, Dr. Kempton and I shared our deep gratitude for Dr. Commons and his deep love and personal concern for ABWE missionaries and for us as his successors in leadership. We are thankful for his great contribution to the work of world missions. With his death we are seeing the end of an era, but we continue to look to God for wisdom for the days ahead.”
If you would like a copy of the 80th anniversary video featuring the three presidents, contact the media department.