Marriage of my brother, Douglas Graham and his bride Davina, 1956

A Life Well-Lived!

By Helen Jesze, 24^th March 2024

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her;…Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:28 + 30 NIV

On Saturday, 16th March, I attended the Life Celebration and Thanksgiving Service for my sister-in-law, Davina, my brother Douglas’ wife, who died in December 2023. St. Peter’s Church where it was held, was packed by family and friends from far and near. It was live-streamed so that those from abroad who were unable to attend, could join in. Douglas and their children, Peter, Heather, Geoff and Sheena gave tributes to Davina. Her name means “Beloved” and Davina was beloved by her family and many friends.

Douglas and Davina met in Sunday School, when they were four years old, and started courting in their teens. They were married in 1956 and were both committed Christians. Davina learned to play the piano as a child, and throughout her life she played in churches and chapels and accompanied one choir. Davina loved children, so she and Douglas started Broomfield Club in their home, a Christian children’s work, and worked in one Congregational and 3 Elim Sunday Schools.

They both sang in the London Crusader Chorale (formerly called London Crusader Choir which started in 1926), travelling to prisons to sing and take the service. Venues include Wormwood Scrubs, Winchester, the Isle of Wight and even the Isle of Sheppey, and many other prisons.

Davina’s was a life well-lived. My late husband, George, and I often stayed overnight as we were going over to the Continent on our missionary journeys, crossing over at Dover. There was always good food, good company and fellowship at Doug and Davina’s. She loved to look after people, was loving, faithful and kind, and was a true prayer-warrior. Her children, grandchildren and 18 great-grand-children were all remembered, plus many missionaries and friends. Davina loved to walk and swim (she was even swimming 20 lengths at a time when she was over 80 years old!), do gardening and jigsaw-puzzles, and was great fun. She truly led ‘a life worth living’. We will see her again one day! We were reminded of this as her son Peter, playing his guitar, led us in the song:

“There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar. And the Father waits over theway to prepare us a dwelling-place there. In the sweet bye and bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore. In the sweet bye and bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore!”

Davina was inspired by the Greatest One who led a ‘life worth living’, and that was her and our Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. This weekend we are celebrating Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophet’s message. Soon we will celebrate Easter and Passover, when our Paschal Lamb laid down His life for us. The sinless One who died that we might be forgiven and have eternal life.

Let’s make sure, every one of us, that we will make it to “that beautiful shore” – to Heaven –. Our good works will not meet God’s standard, only accepting Jesus and his finished work on Calvary gives us the ‘passport’ to enter that wonderful place. I would encourage you, if you have not yet done this, to lose no time! We don’t know how long we will have the chance. So take Jesus TODAY as your Saviour.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for Davina’s life and for every one of our loved ones. Thank you for the gift of family and friends, and thank you for YOUR wonderful family – worldwide – to which each of us who know you, belongs. Help us to leave a good legacy behind us, even as Davina did. Thank you for helping us to do this. Amen.

Davina in later years.