Mary Lou (DeWalt) Bayly, December 20, 1919 - January 15, 2013...

...we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 5:8

Dear loved ones,

Last night Mud (Mary Lou DeWalt Bayly) died in her sleep. She had a good day yesterday. In the evening, Deborah called and talked with her, singing "When Morning Gilds the Skies" to Mud before hanging up. Mud went to bed and was found in her bed this morning, departed.

We are grateful for a mother who trusted God and fought for the souls of her children. How grateful I myself am for her many loving exhortations and rebukes which continued into my middle age, only slowing as she entered confusion. She was Mother Monica (Augustine's mother) to me, and the greatest compliment I've received was when one of Dad's close friends told me a couple years after Dad died, "Don't try to be your Dad. You're not your Dad—you're your mother."

What joy it is to have known these past seven or so years that Mud has been loved and cared for so sweetly by Cheryl and David, and their wonderful and loving children. And what tender care Deborah has given Mud all these years, especially since Dad died. She faithfully visited Mud as often as she could and talked to her on the phone regularly—including, as I said, last night...

They all finished their work well, and Mud has now finished hers here on earth. Taylor just said what joy Mud must be having with her sons and Dad in Heaven. Yes, after her joy at meeting her Lord Jesus.

• Visitation Friday, January 18, 2013 from 3-6 PM at Christ the Word Church in Toledo, OH (10640 West Central Avenue, Swanton, OH 43504—419.829.2005—Eastern Time).
• Funeral this Friday at 7 PM, also at Christ the Word Church in Toledo, OH (Eastern Time).
• Short graveside committal service Saturday morning, January 19, 2013 at 11 AM at Wheaton Cemetery (1209 South Warrenville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187—630.668.8223—Central Time).
• Short service Saturday at Noon, immediately following the graveside service, at College Church in Wheaton (332 East Seminary Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187—630.668.0878—Central Time). This service will be for members of College Church (and any family members present in Wheaton) and will be held in the Fireside Room attached to the Narthex just outside the Sanctuary. Immediately following the service, the deaconesses will serve a light lunch in Welsh Hall.

May our Heavenly Father give us strength to glorify Him as we mourn and rejoice over Mud's departure these coming days (and years). And may we all be found safe, dressed in the robes of Christ's righteousness at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

With love,

PS: Arrangements are through Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Township/Toledo at 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43623—419.841.2422. Memorials may be given to Lakeview Academy (the alternative high school in Chicago that my sister, Deborah, serves as Principal) or Christ the Word Church in Toledo, OH (the church where Mud attended these past seven years where my brother, David, serves as pastor).