May I Go Now

[Pages:2]Because of You

Because of you I know how to sew. Because of you I've learned how to grow. Because of you I'm not afraid to try. Today, because of you, tears fall from my eyes.

A Mother's Love

Because of you I know quality. Because of you I value family. Because of you I am alive Today, because of you, I continue to thrive.

A Mother's love is something that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

Til we meet again...

For nothing can destroy it or take that love away

Love, Karen

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

To Grandma

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation,

Grandma, you were just a girl, So many years ago. You had your loves and had your dreams, You watched us come and go. You watched us make the same

And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand.

mistakes, That you had made before, But that just made you hold us tight,

Love, Benny, Marie, Karen & Billy

And love us all the more.

We haven't always thought about

The things that you have seen.

To us you've just been `Grandma',

No thought of who you've been.

But we remember now in love,

Your life from start to end,

And we're just glad we knew you,

As Grandma, and as Friend.

Love Tracey, Sylvia, Tiffany & Jamaal

May I Go Now

May I go now? Don't you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless, restless nights. I have lived my life and done my best, and an example tried to be. So I can take my step beyond and set my spirit free. I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seemed to draw me now to a warm and loving light. I want to go, I really do, it's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can to live one more day. To give you time to care for me and show your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid because I see your tears. I'll not be far I promise that and hope you'll always know, That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you for loving me and you know I love you too. That's why its so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, Because you care so much for me you'll let me go today.

Lovingly submitted by the family

Interment (Immediately following service) Crownsville Veterans Cemetery

1122 Sunrise Beach Road Crownsville, Maryland 21032

Pallbearers Evan Bankins Gregory Bankins Phillip Bankins

L. Jamaal Bethea Keith Dukes Sr. Antonio Stovall

Acknowledgements:

The family wishes to thank everyone for their deeds of kindness and compassion during this season of transition. Your words of comfort and prayers will be a source of comfort in the days ahead. May God richly bless all of you. Special thank you to Alice Riddick, the staff of Lighthouse Assisted Living, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, the STCF staff and leadership, STCF Hospitality Ministry and the Super Seniors Ministry.

We Entrusted Our Love One To:

The repast will be held immediately following internment in the Set the Captives Free Fellowship Hall & Chapel.

Program lovingly designed by Tiffany Bethea

Sunrise: September 14, 1924

Sunset: July 20, 2012

Friday July 27, 2012 Wake: 9:30 am Service: 11:00am

Set the Captives Free Outreach Center 7111 Windsor Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21244

Ellen Estelle Stanley, affectionately known as Estelle, departed this life for

eternal rest on Friday, July 20, 2012. Estelle was born on September 14, 1924 and was the eldest daughter of six children born to the late Henry Ellsworth Larkins Sr. and Sally Fleming Larkins.

Estelle, a native of Baltimore, was educated in the Baltimore City School System. She

worked for several years as a school crossing guard and banquet waitress before becoming a full-time homemaker. Her first marriage was to Benjamin T. Carter Jr. From this union came two children Benjamin III and Marie. She later married William E. Stanley Sr., who was one of Baltimore City's first African-American police officers before his passing. From this union she was blessed with two additional children Karen and William Jr.

Estelle and five generations of her family attended Sharp Street Memorial United

Methodist Church where she was a member for over 60 years. While there she served as a Communion Stewardess and was a member of the Naylor Hughes Fellowship. In 2003 she joined her daughters church, STCF, where she was an active member of SHARE, the Super Seniors ministry and faithfully attended the Golden Years Bible Study. Estelle was also a member of the Bernard E. Mason Golden Age and Mothers Clubs. The Mothers Club began with a group of young mothers in the McCulloh Homes. She continued to attend their regular meetings until her health no longer permitted her to do so. With her passing, six living members remain.

Estelle loved to sew. Buying fabric was a thrill for her. Many people had the pleasure

of wearing her personally made garments for special occasions such as their weddings, formals, and proms. She enjoyed playing pinochle; many family gatherings ended with her engaged in a game. She was also a regular at annual card parties. Another one of Estelle's favorite pastimes was bowling and over the years she was a member of several bowling leagues. She also used to enjoy watching game shows; Jeopardy was one of her favorites. Reading newspapers and watching the nightly news were a part of her daily routine. In later years, she enjoyed traveling with various groups, cruising to Bermuda, flying to the Caribbean Islands, Canada, as well as throughout the United States.

Estelle held many things dear to her heart, however, God, her children, and her

extended family meant the most to her. She was preceded in death by her brothers Sybil Fleming, George and William David Larkins, her sisters Annie (Petty) and Ruth (Bush), and her great grandson Jamal A. Harrison. Her legacy and love will continue to live in the hearts of her family: her children, Benjamin T. Carter III, Marie C. Austin (Martin), Karen S. Bethea (Linwood), and William E. Stanley Jr.; four grandchildren, Tracey M. Toney, Sylvia Goins, Tiffany L. Bethea, and L. Jamaal Bethea; three greatgrandchildren Davonta Braxton, Natalie Bethea, and Jordan Love; one great-great grandchild, Lundin M. Harrison, and a brother Robert E. Larkins Sr. (Beverly). She raised a niece Joyce Larkins Dukes (Keith Sr.) and a great-niece Ebony T. James who were like daughters to her. Also sharing in her memory are several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Elder Dwight Parker Assistant Pastor, Set the Captives Free

Officiating

Musical Prelude Opening Hymn..........................................It Is Well With My Soul Scripture Reading:

Old Testament -Proverbs 31:10-31.........Elder Sylvester Bracey New Testament-2 Timothy 4:6-8........ Elder Keith Penn Jones Prayer. ........................................................................Elder Dwight Parker

Musical Selection.........................................Maurette Brown Clark

Acknowledgements................................................Tiffany Bethea

Obituary.............................................................Tiffany Bethea

Reflections:

The Woman-Mother Sylvia Anderson The Mother -William Stanley II The Grandmother- Tracey Toney

The Great & Great Great GrandmotherLundin, Natalie, and Jordan

Dance Tribute......................................................Candace Moore

Reflections: The Mother's Club- Thelma Wharton

The Neighbor and Seamstress- Marion Fowler Murphy The Student- Minister Virginia Brown The Member- Elder Dwight Parker

Sermonic Selection............................Brian Horshaw & Throne Zone

Words of Hope & Comfort.............................Dr. Bruce F. Haskins

Benediction................................................Dr. Bruce F. Haskins

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