This past weekend we learned the news that my friend Lloyd H. Stearns had left this life to go to heaven. There are many things I could say about my friend of nearly thirty years. But this is how I want to remember him – he knew Who and what He served. Lloyd moved to Springfield in 1959 to go to Baptist Bible College. The college thing did not work out. He always wondered if he had done enough that was significant for the Lord. In fact, like Lloyd, I have heard many chapel speakers and others say, “Don’t start Bible college and then just live in Springfield.” Why? Because you might be like Lloyd Stearns? If that is so, then praise God for it.
Lloyd moved to Springfield as an adult student with his wife Velma and his six children. As a World War 2 US Army veteran and an adult learner with not much more than an eighth grade education, BBC did not work out so well for him. Instead, he remained in Springfield, Missouri the rest of his life. What did he do in Springfield? This is the part of the story that I do not want you to miss.
He loved and served his wife and family. In just two short months Lloyd (92) would have celebrated 72 years of marriage to Velma his dear wife. He has loved on her as long as I have known him. They were so cute together. You can see how cute in some of the pictures I have attached from family. He has also loved his 6 children, their spouses, his 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Many times I have heard them say how loved their granddad made them feel.
He also loved and served Jesus Christ. He, his wife Velma, and family were the charter members of the Cherry Street Baptist Church. In fact, it was started in his home – the garage serving as the auditorium. I remember some great and funny stories over the years about the times they had there in the home starting a church. The garage worked great except when it rained hard and water ran down the driveway toward the garage and of course whenever it was really hot or cold. He will have to tell you the rest of the stories in heaven.
He served Cherry Street Baptist in a number of ways. For over 50 years he served in the Sunday School office. He, alongside Jim Harrell for many of those years, would be one of the first ones at church on Sunday mornings to serve the teachers. He would get the books ready for each class, help with copying, and would track attendance and paperwork. In addition to the “stuff” he had to do, he has given thousands of smiles, teased so many, and left people with the thought of being glad they came to church.
He also served Cherry Street in many other ways. I will mention just two more. In earlier years he served as a bus mechanic to help keep the fleet of buses picking up children all over Springfield to bring them to church. For many years, he kept the fleet safe and on the road for Jesus.
As well, he mowed every week acres of grass, almost until he was eighty years old. He volunteered for years taking care of all the lawn equipment and lawn care at the church. His straw hat, bucket of water, and John Deere tractor.
Just a few personal remarks regarding Lloyd. One relates to the mowing the grass. Kelly and I were new to the church staff. I was the senior adult pastor back in 1996. We moved onto the church property. The church owned a parsonage that sat on an acre lot that connected to the church property. We lived in that house for six years. In that time, we never mowed one blade of grass. Lloyd would come over every week or two and mow. I would often tell him that I would handle the yard, but he insisted. He would not let me touch it. He would say, “There are many more important things that you need to do to serve people. I will handle this and make that possible.” I am so grateful. Plus, I do not think he wanted me to touch his John Deere!
In addition, he made sure that I was accepted and included with the seniors of the church. I was just 24 when I started working at Cherry Street. Kelly and I had volunteered for some time already with the seniors before I was hired by Dr. Gillming. This was a new position. He made sure that I was not just welcomed as I transitioned from a volunteer to a full-time staff member, but I was at home with the seniors. Often he invited Kelly and me (like every Sunday) to go to eat with him and others after the Sunday night service at Ben’s Carriage House. We did not always go but we were always invited. Upon arrival, he made us feel like the honored guests.
Plus, I remember when he bought the ’63 Studebaker. I have had my fair share of rides in it. He was so funny when he first bought that and as he fixed it up. Those were incredible years.
Over the almost thirty years I have been to many of the family functions – some weddings plus anniversary and birthday celebrations. In those times, I have often told him and Mrs Velma that I loved them both. I only remember one occasion where he told me he loved me. Instead, just as he had said to me so many times as one of the pastors and since, he would always reply with some sentence that included the word appreciation. Often it was, “I appreciate you kids so much.”
Today, I end with this simple expression, “Brother Lloyd, I appreciate you so much.” You demonstrated in the flesh what it looks like to faithfully and lovingly serve Christ, your wife, your family, and your friends. Oh to God that all the college dropouts lived the significant life that you did. Your life counted for Christ. I consider you as part of the foundation of my ministry. For that, my friend, I will be forever grateful. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven. Until then, I will never think of Studebakers, John Deere tractors, or the word appreciation without a smile because of you my friend.
