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- TODAY'S DATE -
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Spurlin
2101 Glenwood Drive
Hartselle, AL 35640
(256) 773-0295 |
Bethany Ann Spurlin, was born in Selmer, Tennessee, September 29, 1978, and was an instant joy to the Spurlin household. She was a good child growing up and continued to be beautiful not only on the outside, but also on the inside. Her personality was in sharp contrast to that of her brother, Paul, who was very outgoing, unabashed, bold and a thorough gregarious person. Bethany’s personality was more subdued, under control, restrained and somewhat quiet. Once you came to know her she would open up to you and her laugh was one that could make the light fixtures quiver. Bethany could make friends easily, but she had to be comfortable around you in the beginning. One of her friends was a girl her own age, which was from the country of India. This girl was so quiet that it made Bethany look like a loud mouth. We often wondered what they could talk about with neither one having an outgoing personality. Yet they would visit one another on a regular basis.
Being a radiant child, yet thinking of others summarized Bethany’s life. Her heart was touched so easily whether it be the extinction of whales, dolphins or other mammals and animals that was on the verge of being swept from the earth. Once she began a serious investigation of a school where she could take courses that would lead her to a degree in Marine Biology. Bethany would literally weep when it was discovered that people were throwing the plastic wrappers used to hold cola drinks together into the ocean. It was reported that these plastic holders were overtly thrown in the oceans and dolphins along with other salt-water mammals would become entangled and ultimately causes death. This caused deep pain to Bethany and illustrates the compassion and sensitivity she had for God’s creatures. She was on the cutting edge of environmental issues, not on the radical fringe, but overwhelming concern for God’s creatures who could not take care of themselves.
Making the jump from junior high to a senior high school was a scary prospect on one level, but her parents would never know her true feelings. Bethany was somewhat of an introvert attempting to hide her emotions, but occasionally her feelings would be obvious. Being ridiculed and disdained, being a freshman in high school, due to her modesty or clothing was never intimidating nor threatening to her. One of her friends, who attended church with Bethany, could not withstand the peer pressure and would join the taunts and name calling of her friend. Bethany would say nothing but would go about her business as if nothing happened. Although she would project an image of, "all is well," yet underneath that veneer was a heart that was breaking. The concern she had, for the most part, was not based on personal hurt, but for her friend that was attached to a group that would lead her down the wrong path. Bethany’s concern for the prejudiced and undesirable students always touched her heart. On one occasion she inadvertently overheard some students planning to do bodily harm to a few students of a different race, therefore she reacted quickly and without question prevented a tragic occurrence from happening.
In August of 1995, one day before Bethany would begin her junior year in high school; she was sleeping late when her disabled father asked her to drive to the post office for postage stamps. This beautiful sixteen year old girl with all that life had to offer suffered a fatal automobile accident snuffing out all her dreams and aspirations. This Christian girl was immediately transported from this mortal world to Paradise where all the redeemed are comforted in Abraham’s bosom (Lk. 16:22). The tragedy of the loss never goes away nor should it. Bob and Beverly are cognizant and confident that their angel-daughter is at peace and comforted by the angels of heaven, therefore to follow her to that celestial city is their aspiration. The pain and hurt can be indescribable; consequently the problems of life will make us either bitter or better, depending on how we handle them.
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