Orystine Gulley

For just a little while our precious loved one leaves our sight, for just beyond the hill she wants in God’s eternal light. God hath made everything beautiful in His time. On September 6, 1935, He brought forth Orystine Allen, one of His most beautiful and valuable creations. Orystine was born in Gurdon, Arkansas to Charlie and Vera Roberts Allen. She grew up in Berine surrounded by the love of her sisters and brothers. She was a graduate of Bell School. During her early childhood she accepted Christ and united with the Shady Grove Baptist Church family. God entrusted Orystine with the greatest task of all; to nurture, raise, and love Joyce, Margaret, Wanda, Lonnie, Johnnie, and David. She was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So her golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. Believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” she became Mrs. Orystine Gulley when she married Mr. Virgil Gulley. She moved to Lansing, Michigan where she became a member of Apostolic Tower of Power under the leadership of Bishop Nathaniel Edwards, Sr. Orystine later retired from the Michigan School District after working 15 years as a foster grandparent. Family as well as friends will miss her smile, her love, but will never forget her mild spirit and compassionate heart. She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when she was around. Because love is far greater than death, she departs this earth in body only. On Friday, March 26, 2010 in her 74th season, she slipped the surly bonds of earth, trading time for eternity in the presence of the Lord She was welcomed home by her loving parents, her beloved Virgil and her daughter Wanda Faye. Orystine’s life has left indelible impressions in the hearts and minds of her two daughters, Joyce Gentry (Allen Brown) of Lansing, MI and Margaret (Billy) Campbell of Gurdon, AR; three sons, Lonnie (Doretha) Lacy, Johnnie (Stella) Lacy, and David (Yvette) Lacy all of Gurdon, AR; two sisters, Vera Newton of Ashdown, AR, and Barbara Allen of Texarkana, AR; two brothers, Tommy Allen and Phillip Allen both of Gurdon, AR; nineteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Those also left to cherish her love and laughter are a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. Mrs. Gulley will lie in state on Friday, April 2, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home and the family will greet and receive friends from 6-7pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2010 in the sanctuary of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas where Rev. Johnny C. Harris is the pastor. Rev. Rufus R. Hatley will preach the celebration message. The commital service and final resting place will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Beirne, Arkansas.