We lost two friends to cancer last week, both extraordinary Jesus followers, each in their own way. This blog is about one of them.

Carol Ann Nolen was our backyard neighbor when we lived in Montgomery, Alabama, the first time, 1977 – 1984. We reconnected when we went back 2001 – 2006. A lovely lady, who fell on hard times after we moved back to Colorado. Her husband left her, and she moved in with her daughter in Auburn, Alabama, literally with nothing.

But our many mutual friends said, “Carol Ann taught us how to live.” She was never bitter. She remained cheerful and kind. Then she came down with multiple cancers, and our friends said, “Now Carol Ann is teaching us how to die.” June was able to have many long conversations with her this summer and always came away encouraged. June and Carol Ann were looking forward to a face-to-face visit on our recent trip to the southeast.

Then suddenly, June received a text from Carol Ann’s daughter that Carol Ann was declining rapidly. We wondered if we would make it in time since she would have been in Hospice a week by the time we arrived. But she was still with us, and June got to visit with her briefly both Tuesday, September 17, on our way to Montgomery and Thursday, September 19, on our way back to Atlanta and points east. She passed the following Thursday. The obit captures her spirit succinctly:

Carol Ann Nolen passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, at Bethany House in Auburn, AL, following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born in Montgomery, AL, on December 14, 1943…She is survived by her son Brad Nolen (Tonya) and her daughter Amy Smith (Todd). She is also survived by her grandchildren Brennan Smith, Nolen Smith, Landon Smith, Drew Nolen, and Ella Kate Nolen. There are many others that Carol Ann loved and treated like children and grandchildren.

Carol Ann was a faithful and dedicated servant of Jesus Christ. Her love of Christ was evident in all that she did. It was most evident in her relationships with her family and friends. Carol Ann was known for her compassionate, humble service to others. She was often alongside family, friends, neighbors and sometimes strangers during their greatest time of need. Her humility would never allow her to seek any accolades for her service. Her only wish would be that her legacy would bring honor to Jesus Christ and bring others into an eternal relationship with Him. She was grateful for and would want to thank the staff at Bethany House, all her other caregivers and all her friends that helped her during her time of need.

A life well lived.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12.1 – 3, ESV)

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116.15, ESV)

PS On our first visit, I asked Carol Ann’s daughter, Amy, how long she had been in the hospice facility. Amy misunderstood the question and thought that I had asked how long she would stay there. She replied, “Until the end.” When she said that, I thought, “That’s not quite right. She’ll stay until the beginning.”

Enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25.21, ESV)