Laura Lightner

AUSTIN Laura Gola Nvda Ageya Lightner, 61, entered this life on Dec. 30, 1951 in Midland TX. She passed from this earthly realm on August 15th, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. A lover of people, animals, and mother earth, she held Jesus Christ dearly in her heart as her Lord and Savior. Since a near death experience early in life, she looked forward to going home to be with God at His call.

Laura often described her visit to heaven to those who were interested, and told of a beautiful light that flows through all the life forms there, whether flowers or animals, people or trees. She said there are colors in abundance that the human eye has not seen that exist in heaven. She often reminded her hospice patients, while serving as their chaplain, that heaven watches over each soul lovingly, and with exceeding proficiency. Heaven is busy, she would say, and most there had work to do.

In addition to being a lover of that land which waits for us all, Laura completed her RN degree at Odessa College, her psychology degree at Schreiner College, and her Master of Divinity at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She felt that she had studied body, soul and mind, and had a good grasp on how to help the hospice patient make a good transition.

She completed a one year residency of Clinical Pastoral Education at Bethany Medical Center, where her aptitude with people caught the eye of employers and she was hired as a staff chaplain. Bethanys CEO said she could follow him anywhere and he would surely hire her again and again. He commented in amazement at her love of God and ability to talk to even the hardest heart about the realities of the spiritual world. She was ordained by the International Ministerial Fellowship and held a coveted National Board Certification for Chaplaincy.

Before attending seminary Laura moved with her husband and family to Ingram TX in 1981. She enjoyed participating in the Boy Scouts of America, Kerrville Trailblazers and Soccer with her three sons. She was a Southern Cloth Dancer at Powwows, and participated in various capacities at local and northern powwows.

She was magazine editor for Celebrate Bandera Powwow, and a member of the Cherokee Historical Society in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as well as a member of Shawnee County Allied Tribes of Topeka Kansas.

Laura enjoyed getting up every day and thanking God for her blessings, then going to her job as a hospice chaplain where she ministered to many people facing terminal illness. Her patients treasured her, as she did them, considering it a beloved calling from God.

She was preceded in death by Jimmy, her wonderful and gifted brother, and a loving group of family and friends, including grandparents, Paul and Eva McHargue, Albert and Marie Lynch, and Uncle Parry Evans. Her beloved Potawatomi father Joe Wapmimi Lewis and grandfather, Jim Nanimnukshkuk McKinney, both of the Potawatomi Indian reservation in Kansas, also preceded her in death.

Laura is survived by son Tim and daughter in law Rebecca, with granddaughter Parker and grandson Timothy son Paul and daughter in law Iris, and youngest son Will. Also surviving are her beloved mother, Lois May Lynch McHargue, father Jim McHargue, Louise Horton, and many additional siblings including Annissa Little Star Jessepe of Topeka Kansas Dan Simpson and sister in law Debbie, Mary Sigg, Celina Price and husband Tom. There are many nieces and nephews.

Her additional special blessings came from surviving family members including Aunt Midge Evans, Jan and Jim Thomas, Rick and Lorna Evans, Joy Williams, Aunt Lucille Graham, Gloria Anne Graham, Uncle Dick and Aunt Dolores McHargue, Bill and Vivian McHargue, Richard and Susan McHargue and Aunt Laurie MacGregor.

Services for Laura will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday, August 20, 2013 in the Main Chapel of Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Highway, Kerrville, TX 78028. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 3250 Fredericksburg Highway, Kerrville, TX 78028.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

---