Family and friends pay tribute to Christian school principal
Jennifer L. Berghom, The Monitor
June 17, 2008 - 5:59PM
Jennifer L. Berghom, The Monitor
June 17, 2008 - 5:59PM
McALLEN -- Milton Gonzalez remembered how Cheri Sarver helped him get a job teaching math at Covenant Christian Academy.
He wasn't a Christian at the time, but the school hired him anyway. Sarver took him under her wing, always prayed for him and had him sit in on Bible classes with students at the private Christian school.
"She was like a second mother to me," said Gonzalez, who is now a minister. "When no one else believed in me, she would. She prayed me all the way to the pulpit and I thank her for that."
His story was one of many shared Tuesday at Sarver's memorial service at Baptist Temple, where she attended with her family. Every pew in the church's sanctuary was filled and more people stood in back to pay tribute to the late principal.
Sarver, 56, died Thursday from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Ware Road and Nolana.
She is survived by her husband, Barney, four children and a host of other relatives and friends.
Cheri Sarver, who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, was principal at Covenant Christian for seven years. The school educates students from prekindergarten through eighth grade.
The common message revolved around Cheri Sarver's deep faith in God and how her mission at the school was to make sure everyone knew Jesus as their savior.
Barney Sarver remembered how his wife would wake up early every morning and read her Bible and how she always prayed for their family's well-being.
"I realize now the success of our family and our life was largely because of my wife," he said.
He also asked everyone in attendance to pray for the teenager who was at the wheel of the second vehicle involved in the fatal crash.
"We have forgiven him," he said.
The couple's children also took turns praising their mother, thanking her for being their confidant, cheerleader and friend.
"She made me feel like I could do anything," said Jenifer Sarver, the couple's oldest child.
Jason Sarver said he was still angry and in shock about his mother's death.
"I don't understand this," he said. "I expected my mother to be a grandmother someday to my children."
The service also included a slideshow of photos from Cheri Sarver's life and music, followed by a reception at Covenant Christian Academy.
The Sarver family set up a memorial fund in Cheri Sarver's honor to benefit the school. Donations can be made at any Lone Star National Bank.
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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.
"She was like a second mother to me," said Gonzalez, who is now a minister. "When no one else believed in me, she would. She prayed me all the way to the pulpit and I thank her for that."
His story was one of many shared Tuesday at Sarver's memorial service at Baptist Temple, where she attended with her family. Every pew in the church's sanctuary was filled and more people stood in back to pay tribute to the late principal.
Sarver, 56, died Thursday from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Ware Road and Nolana.
She is survived by her husband, Barney, four children and a host of other relatives and friends.
Cheri Sarver, who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, was principal at Covenant Christian for seven years. The school educates students from prekindergarten through eighth grade.
The common message revolved around Cheri Sarver's deep faith in God and how her mission at the school was to make sure everyone knew Jesus as their savior.
Barney Sarver remembered how his wife would wake up early every morning and read her Bible and how she always prayed for their family's well-being.
"I realize now the success of our family and our life was largely because of my wife," he said.
He also asked everyone in attendance to pray for the teenager who was at the wheel of the second vehicle involved in the fatal crash.
"We have forgiven him," he said.
The couple's children also took turns praising their mother, thanking her for being their confidant, cheerleader and friend.
"She made me feel like I could do anything," said Jenifer Sarver, the couple's oldest child.
Jason Sarver said he was still angry and in shock about his mother's death.
"I don't understand this," he said. "I expected my mother to be a grandmother someday to my children."
The service also included a slideshow of photos from Cheri Sarver's life and music, followed by a reception at Covenant Christian Academy.
The Sarver family set up a memorial fund in Cheri Sarver's honor to benefit the school. Donations can be made at any Lone Star National Bank.
____
Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.
1 comment:
Jen, you look absolutely stunning in this picture and I'm sure everything you said was beautiful. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
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