Just the Way She Wanted It

My mother-in-law, Suzanne Lawrence Richard, loved the peace and beauty of the cemetery in Stephens City, Virginia. Her second husband, Ralph Richard, was from the area and together they bought several plots in this cemetery. Sue had her son, John Stewart, who died of SIDS, reinterred here and this was where Ralph was buried when he died three and a half years ago.

Today Suzanne was laid to rest in this beautiful spot. We found an order of service that she had written out and signed back in January, and followed it. Everything was just as she wanted.

She had planned a very personalized service. Her youngest son, John, read the 23rd Psalm, her other two sons and her two daughter-in-laws, Dawn and I, spoke briefly. The hymns included "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "How Great Thou Art," and "Amazing Grace." Sue's three grandsons said The Lord's Prayer.


Even the coffin was personalized. It was made many years ago according to Suzanne's specifications by a local craftsman. For years and years it sat in Ralph and Sue's big basement. I never saw it, but I had certainly heard about it as it was the object of much talk, most humorous, within the family.

But just look at it. It was absolutely beautiful, and reflected the Suzanne's' elegant good taste and love of refined workmanship. She knew what she was doing.

I don't know who had the idea of the massive spray of red roses for the top; most likely it was Suzanne herself, but I didn't ask. I do know there were eighty-one, one for each year of her life.