God Sent Serenity To Me.

It’s crazy how God sends you people you didn’t even know you would need. Six days before my world changed, I agreed to have lunch with an awesome realtor I had previously worked with. Who knew that a week later she would play such a pivotal role in my life.

As my mind went into funeral planning mode, I knew I wanted Savion to have a homegoing service in a church. Although in his recent days he dabbled with Islam, I didn’t want to bury him in a way unfamiliar to me or my family. I didn’t know what church I would choose, but the angel I had lunch with stepped in. She connected me to Pastor Herndon at Christian Compassion, who then connected me to Serenity Funeral Home. That conversation immediately brought me comfort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW18Wy9tjxs

Savion was still at the ME’s office, with his autopsy scheduled to conclude by 1PM on 4/7. After speaking with Serenity, we decided they would handle the arrangements. I asked the funeral director if I could see Savion before they began preparing him, because I didn’t want my last memory of him to be after embalming. I wanted to see him in the most natural form possible. She agreed, while gently preparing us that he might not be viewable because of the autopsy. Still, she promised she would do her best. And that she did.

When we walked back, Savion lay on the gurney exposed only from the head up. She carefully shielded the rest to spare us additional trauma. He looked like he was simply asleep. I knew he wasn’t, because all his life Savion slept with his eyes slightly parted.

Standing there, I couldn’t bring myself to touch him. I wanted to remember him differently — warm, vibrant, full of life. Not cold or stiff. Feeling him lifeless would’ve left scars I couldn’t heal from or handle.

Pam Hooks, thank you for connecting me to your pastor and to Serenity. They made Savion’s service beautiful from start to finish, and I will never forget the compassion they showed my family during the hardest time of our lives.