Page 7 - Eloise Funeral Bulletin-Precious Memories & Tributes

Tribute by Neville Peter
Mentee & friend who shared her Ministry & Christian Fellowship

When we get to Heaven, we will find out all the many details of the
providences of God in his efforts to save us. I know that there is much more
to my story than I know now. But there is one thing that I don’t have to
guess about, and that is the role that my dear friend Sister Dean played in
helping me begin my new life with Jesus. Often, when one begins walking
with Jesus, there are many pitfalls along the way. That was definitely true
in my case, but as Sister Dean and I spent more time together, I found that
her kindness was unrelenting, and her gentle motherly wisdom gave me the
Christian insight I needed to remain steadfast.

For years after I decided to follow Jesus, the first voice I would hear in the
morning would be hers. “Good morning, Jewel”, she would say, and we
would have prayer together and then she would read to me from the Bible
or from an EGW devotional. Then in the evenings, I would hear from her
again and she would study the Sabbath school lesson with me. Friday
evenings were even more special, because I would get to choose whatever
I wanted her to read for me from the Bible or from the Spirit of Prophecy,
and usually, what was intended to be only an hour long worship, would turn
into a two or three hours of fellowship, study and prayer.

Since I was a young man at the time, Sister Dean would also council me
about my everyday life and how to make decisions that would have a
positive impact on my future. I know for sure that if it were not for her, I
would not be the person I am today. I would not be able to say that I was
once a music school teacher. I would not have gotten a reputation for
witnessing to the drivers that took me to and from work. I would not have
the deep affection for the Word of God that now burns in my heart. I would
not realize how important it is to mentor those who are beginning their walk
with Jesus. And I would not have the little brother and little sister in Christ
that I am now mentoring.