Thinking of Barbara

Aunt Barbara playing, Wait 'Til You See My New Home. Click on the play button below:



To hear 16 songs played on the piano by Barbara, JUST CLICK HERE.

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Funeral Message for Barbara

It was difficult but by the Grace of God I was able to preach aunt Barbara's funeral. I took the Scripture from Romans 8:35-39. Barbara instructed me to just be free with the message. I tried my best. I hope she would have approved. The last 4-minutes is the song Gloryland sang by me, my wife, my mother and my cousin Brad.



Romans 8:35-39 (King James Version)

35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36: As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Honey, you can do it

We knew this day was coming but even so, it came too soon. I knew from the sound of the phone ringing early on Saturday morning that something was wrong. I answered and my mother told me I needed to come to my aunt Barbara's house as soon as I could. I quickly got ready and made my way over there.

I had just been to see my aunt Barbara on Wednesday and I'm glad that I did. On that visit she was not doing very well but still coherent. I sat and held her hand, prayed, and talked with her while she tried to keep her eyes open. I knew then that it would probably be the last time I would be able to talk to her. I would have stayed all day but I had to go to work.

I entered the room on Saturday morning around 7:45. Her daughter, Natalie, was on one side of her and her sister, Brenda, and my mom and dad on the other side. Other family members were gathered around the room and in the house. My aunt Brenda announced to Barbara that I had came to see her. I don't know if she understood what she said or not. I felt like such a blundering idiot when I came up beside her, touched her hand and said, "how are you doing Barbara?" I didn't know what else to say. I thought to myself, if she is aware of what is going on around her then she is probably thinking to herself, "how does it look like I'm doing?" My hands were cold from just arriving from outside so I didn't want to make her uncomfortable by holding on to her. All I could do was stand near by and pray.

As the day wore on we all knew what was happening. As her breathing labored and her blood pressure dropped we knew that God was going to call her home and that there wasn't anything we could do about it. The house filled with family and friends and we sat and chatted, drank coffee and just waited. I thought to myself, "Barbara would hate this if she knew what was going on." She was always so particular with how she looked. She was always a picture of perfection. Hair perfect, nails polished, dressed in the nicest clothes, I know she wouldn't have wanted people to see her in the condition she was in. But, what else could we do?  I suppose my pastor said it best, "death is a cruel thing."

Around 2:30 PM as I was sitting on the screened-in-porch, my mother came to the door and said, "Byron, she's gone." We all made our way into the room where my precious aunt Barbara lay motionless. It was a sight that I wish I could forget but I know will always be branded on my consciousness. As my uncle Chester lovingly brushed her hair back with his hand I could hear the sobs of my family members all standing around. I held tight to my wife Mary and tried to make some kind of sense of it all. I needed to grieve in complete silence so I went outside and stood beside the fence row surrounding Barbara's house and just prayed. As I stood there the wind was blowing very fierce causing acorns to drop from the large tree in the front yard. I took that as God's assurance to me that he was still there and had everything under control. I knelt down and scooped up a newly fallen acorn and stuck it in my pocket. It will be my eternal reminder of that day.

Barbara was more than just my aunt. She was my pianist, my mentor, and a source of strength in my music ministry. She was the one that made me confident enough to stand before a congegation of people and lead the singing. She painstakingly lowered every song in the church hymnal for me so that I would be able to lead without straining my voice. When I would say, "Barbara, I can't do it," she would say, "honey, you can do it, I'll help you." We were a team working in the church for our Lord. Together we were able to teach complicated music to choirs that had no formal training in music. I can remember picking out Christmas cantata's and saying to her, "I just don't think the choir can do this," and she would say, "aw, they can do it because we'll help em." That's just the way she was and I depended on her to be that way.

I could probably sit here and write all day long about my memories and thoughts about Barbara but I have so much to do in preparation for preaching her funeral tonight. She always knew what she wanted in life and once she made her mind up about something there was nothing and nobody that could change it. When she asked me to preach the message for her I immediately wanted to resist and say there's no way I can do that. I asked her if she was sure she wanted me to and she said, "honey, of course I'm sure, I want you to do it and I know you'll do a good job." I feel honored that she thought enough of me to ask me. I never was able to do much for her, but tonight, with the Lord's help, I am going to stand boldly and confident and pour everything I have in the message. If I start to lose confidence I can just remember what she always said to me, "honey, you can do it." 

Barbara Chesney DeMarcus

 DEMARCUS, BARBARA CHESNEY - age 67 of Corryton went to her Heavenly home on November 13th 2010 following a two year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and friends. Preceded in death by her beloved parents; Lorn and Bessie Chesney and niece Pamela Chesney Stanifer. She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years W. Chester DeMarcus; her angel daughter Natalie and son-in-law Sam Wade; brother and sister-in-law James Carroll and Sue Chesney; sister and brother-in-law Brenda and Derrell Frye; nephews Brad Carlisle and wife Melanie; Byron Chesney and wife Mary; Josh Chesney and wife Amanda; niece Jennifer Chesney White and husband Jon; 14 great nieces and nephews; lifelong friend Patsy Turner; special friends Hazel Bridges, Helen Henderson, Linda Hickman and many more extended family and friends. She was a devout Christian and a faithful member and pianist of Highland Baptist Church. Barbara loved the piano from an early age. She began playing in church at fourteen. Soon she was assisting many church singing groups and soloists. Barbara began to see her gift and love of music and the piano as her special ministry for Christ. Over her lifetime, she served in many churches never taking monetary compensation for her many hours of faithful service. She especially loved helping churches that were often unable to acquire a competent pianist that could work with a choir as well as groups, individuals and children. She will be lovingly remembered as a true servant of God devoted to her husband, her family, her friends and her church. The family will receive friends at Highland Baptist Church on Babelay Road from 5-7 P.M. on Monday with the funeral service to follow with Pastor Dave Hutchinson and Rev. Byron Chesney officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:15A.M. Tuesday at Bridges Funeral Home and proceed to Union Cemetery on Washington Pike for an 11 A.M. interment with Rev. William Winters officiating. Pallbearers will be Larry Turner, Sam Wade, Steve Lawson, Brad Carlisle, Josh Chesney and Matthew Chesney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Ministry of Highland Baptist Church 6014 Babelay Rd. Knoxville, TN. 37924. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home 5430 Rutledge Pike 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on November 15, 2010

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What A Day That Will Be

The song, What A Day That Will Be, is one of my very favorite songs. We sing it pretty often in our worship services. I also often pick it for the invitation song. I just love the words because they tell of the promise that God has made for each of His children, that one day we will be free from all of the problems, heartaches, sickness, pain, and things that we have to endure in the present world. Everyone likes to live but I tell you what, when I think of how wonderful things are going to be when we reach that golden shore, I can't help but long for that day.

We sang the song tonight at the end of Mr. Grisham's funeral service. I felt that it really contained the message that was needed there tonight. I got a little choked up on the end thinking about Mr. Grisham and his dear wife that he had just lost 6-weeks ago. But I began thinking about all of the things they had gained and how they no longer had to worry about the devastating effects of cancer. It also makes me appreciate my family and loved ones that I still have here. I was so thankful that I was able to stand there and sing while my aunt Barbara played the piano. I had my wife snap a picture of us at the end of the service so I would always have that memory to look back upon. I wish I had turned the flash on because the photo didn't come out very clear, but I still love it.

You can listen to our choir sing, What A Day That Will Be, below:

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Wow, what a day!

The Lord really blessed us today in both of our church services. This morning our pastor preached a great message titled, "Do You Live What You Believe?" We had one young man come to the altar to rededicate his life to the Lord.

In our evening worship service, two former members made their way down to the altar and rejoined the church. After we finished shaking hands with them, another lady came down and joined the church. All of this happened before the preaching! Then Brother William Purvis preached an excellent message titled, "Winning the War With Words."  At the end of the service we had a special prayer and anointing service for my Aunt Barbara who has been dealing with lung cancer for the past year. This was the first time I had ever been involved in an anointing service. Most Baptist churches do not practice anointing and to my knowledge this was the first time we had had one at Highland. It was very touching and powerful. You could see the church members all pulling together as one body in Christ. It was a service I will never forget.

As I got in the car to leave I couldn't help but think about how blessed I am. I had my wonderful family in the car with me and we had just experienced one of the best Sunday's we have ever had. I felt really sorry for all of those people that decided to stay home and watch the Superbowl tonight. Most people in this area were pulling for the Colts and they lost anyway. The real losers tonight were those folks that sat at home in front of the idiot box instead of attending church and worshiping God. You know, Jesus says the following in Matthew 6:21: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I think we know where a lot of people's treasure lies.

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One down ten to go

We had our first Easter Cantata practice this past Sunday. I thought it went fairly well, all things considered. I chose one of Brentwood's "Easy 2-part" series for us to learn, The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference. It is a very easy arrangement if you can read music, unfortunately most of our choir can't read music. I have intended on having sight reading and shape note classes for them sometime but just haven't had time to do it. They do a great job of listening and following along with the music and always pick it up eventually. Still, it would be nice if they could read music.

Most of the songs were familiar to everyone except for, Always the Cross. It is a really beautiful song with great words but is just a little more contemporary than what we are used to. None of our youth were there for practice and I think they will probably like it the most. I think we will do alright on it and it may even become one of our favorites.

I had failed to give Barbara (our pianist) a copy of the music before our first practice so she was seeing it for the first time as well. We played the listening CD over the sound system and she played along with it. She did an outstanding job. I wish there was an accompaniment copy of the music because the books are difficult for her to turn the pages while playing. I will probably need to take a book apart, enlarge the print and place them in a notebook with plastic sleeves. We had the same problem with last year's Easter cantata too.

So, all in all it was a great start. I think once we get comfortable with it we will really enjoy it. We only have 10 more opportunities to practice!

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I've Been Thinking...

This past week at church has been trying. We have several key folks out of town. First, my Aunt Barbara, who plays the piano, is in Texas at M.D. Anderson, undergoing treatments. Of course Uncle Chester, who runs the sound room, is by her side. O.C., our head deacon, and his wife Martha went out of town to visit their son, Oliver, who is in for a couple of weeks from Afghanistan. Our pastor and his wife went on vacation in Myrtle Beach. So, that was 6-key folks that were not at church.

We have managed to push on without them. William preached Sunday night and I preached Wednesday night. Charlotte has been filling in on the piano and doing a great job. We have all pulled together and got things done. It has made me thankful in 2 different ways. First, I'm thankful for the folks that we have that are normally present at each and every service. Second, I'm thankful for folks that are willing to step up and fill the void when called upon.

The message I preached Wednesday night (you can listen from the link below) was titled, "What Moves You?" I've blogged most of the message in a 4-part series on this blog. I made the challenge to our members to not let anything move them. I've drawn a lot of encouragement from that message that God gave me. It seems a lot of times that the messages God gives me are meant for me. I, just like most people, feel overwhelmed at times. I'm not a quitter by any stretch of the means but I have entertained the thoughts of moving on and doing something else. I need encouragement every now and then. Sometimes I get the Elijah complex and start looking for a cave to hide in. But, then the Lord speaks to me and lets me know that I'm not alone.

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The few, the proud, the choir

This past Sunday morning at church, we saw a pretty significant rise in attendance. In fact, our numbers for Sunday School were the highest I have seen in the past 3 years. It was so nice looking out across the congregation and seeing so many folks. We had a wonderful Spirit filled service during our morning worship service and the choir sounded spectacular. We actually had some basses this Sunday which did my heart good. I even strayed from my regularly scheduled program to include pg. 92, Just A Little Talk With Jesus, so I could hear that wonderful bass section.

Sunday evening we had a drastic falling off. Not sure where everybody was. I know a few members went to hear Gary Barnard play piano in a concert, but the rest of them... only God knows where they were. If it hadn't been for our youth group and some visitors from Texas Valley; former pastor, Jerry Copeland and his wife Gail, along with Mary-Alice and Steve Thomas, and Randy Wallen, we wouldn't have had but a handful. But, like Jesus says in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And, in the midst He was! Even with our low attendance, the choir loft was nearly completely full! We were a little thin in the Alto section but man, what a sound the choir put out! We have been practicing, Goodbye, World Goodbye, for a few weeks and we sang it. I can't remember ever being more proud of the choir than I was last night. I looked out at them and it seemed like everyone had the biggest smile on their face and they were rearing back and singing with all they were worth. I could even hear my little 9-year old Liz belting out that song to the top of her lungs! You can give it a listen at the bottom of this post. Make sure you listen to the ending, we really worked hard on it and Barbara does a very impressive roll down the keyboard to boot!

We may not be the largest, most musically trained, or even skillful choir, but for what we lack in those 3 departments, we make up for in heart and Spirit. I've always told the choir members that I would rather hear a handful of folks singing to the Lord from their hearts than some huge professionally trained choir full of dead-spirited ones. Sure, sometimes I get down about the low numbers but I thank God for the few, the proud, the choir!

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When the going gets tough, the tough sing A Capella!

This past Sunday evening at church, we were without a pianist. Barbara was too sick to attend and Sister Carol and Charlotte were both on vacation. We were in a tight spot. But never fear! God's people have always been a singing people. I figured if old Paul and Silas could sing without music while their feet were bound in stocks, sitting in a cold prison, then the Highland Baptist Church choir could too!

It was a little hard starting out. We did, Thank God I Am Free, and I started out way too high! Being a natural bass singer, it is sometimes hard for me to know what a good starting key is without having someone give me a chord on the piano. I normally sing in B flat or C but I cranked that song out probably somewhere in a high F. We finally settled down and after that things were pretty smooth. I really enjoyed the invitation song during altar call when we sang Amazing Grace A Capella. You can give it a listen here:


Every time I think of singing A Capella, I can't help but remember that old Andy Griffith episode where Barney actually sings "A Capella." I found it on YouTube tonight:

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When we all pull together, how happy we'll be!

It's been a while since I've posted on here so I thought I'd catch everyone up with what's going on right now.

As I am typing this, it is 1:05 AM on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I've been studying for the past 6 hours. I'm nearly finished with my first Seminary course, Advanced Old Testament. I've only got 6 more assignments to complete in my notebook and 3 Family Devotional guides to complete and I'll be finished with this semester. That will be one down and 9 more to go! I am really enjoying my course work and it is really helping me with my ministry. I'm looking forward to this next course, Advanced New Testament! Please pray that God will supply the finances needed for me to continue on. I'm going to take a month off in between courses so that gives me a little bit of time to save up. That means I'll be starting back up in September.

We haven't practiced much in the choir lately. I canceled practice again this past Sunday because of Independence day. I really needed a break. I may cancel this coming Sunday as well because I am going to be preaching at Emory Pike American Christian church on Sunday morning and then going to my in-law's house for lunch. I don't want to have to try and rush around to make it by 5:00. I'd really like to take Sunday evening off from my church and go visit Rutledge Pike Baptist because Rev. Charlie Lynch is going to be preaching there both services this Sunday and I'd like to go hear him.

Speaking of preaching, the Lord finally gave me a message that wasn't all gloom and doom last Wednesday evening. I brought a message about Gideon and how we as Christians needed to step up and blow the horn for God. I probably shouldn't have went back and listened to myself because I found several mistakes. I had the course of events wrong in one part and I completely left out Gideon's first sign from God. I probably shouldn't keep beating myself up over it but it just irritates me to mess up like that when I know something like the back of my hand. Oh well, it wasn't my first mistake and I'm sure it won't be my last.

The Southern Gospel Trio, HisVoice, will be singing at Highland next Sunday morning, July 19th. I'm looking forward to hearing them again. I just hope our members come out and support the church. It is really frustrating when people are always asking me to get more groups and special singers and then they don't show up when they come. I only have 3 groups scheduled for the rest of 2009 and I'm not planning on asking any more. I've already turned down at least 6 requests from different groups and soloist over the past 2 months. It's just way too much work for me and not enough support. Sorry, that's just my little rant for the day... I should probably get some sleep!

My sister, Jennifer (who is going to kill me when she sees the pictures I've posted of her on this post!) has been in town this week and I've really enjoyed that. Her husband, Jon, preached at our church this past Sunday evening. His sermon was titled, "Lord, if..." I always love to hear him preach. Jennifer also sang and played the piano. I have to constantly fight back tears every time I hear her sing. The Lord really uses her talents for His glory. I wish they didn't live so far away, they would be so great for our church... but I'm just dreaming I reckon.

Chester and Robert are going to be wondering who's been messing around in the sound booth! I learned how to use the DVD recorder at church last night. Mom needed to make a soundtrack of Jennifer playing so we went to the church and I figured out how to do it. I'm really happy about that because I've needed to learn how to do that for the past 3-years. I am going to get Barbara and my nephew Jared to play the piano for me on some soundtracks that I want to sing with and now I know how to record it!

Well, I've got to get off of this computer and get some sleep. I have to get up in about 6 hours and go to work and then there is Wednesday night church after that. Cya later!

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A future church pianist?

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6



This is my 9-year old daughter playing Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. She started taking piano lessons from my aunt Barbara just a few weeks ago. She is learning very fast and doing very well. Our old piano is in bad need of tuning. Hopefully we will get that done before too long. I'm really excited that Elizabeth is following in the footsteps of her aunt Jenny, and aunt Pam. I think she'll be a great pianist some day. Can you tell I am proud??? ;)

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Good Friday Communion Service 2009

I had been looking forward to tonight for several weeks. Our pastor began having Good Friday communion services last year and I really enjoyed it. I knew that it would just be our usual faithful few that would come out. I was pleased that we had about 29 people show up tonight. A few of our regulars weren't there because of prior commitments but we had a nice turn out. Just like last year, we all sat together in the center front section of the church. It felt good for everyone to be so close together, more like a family. I wish we would do that all of the time. Sometimes I feel like our church is so big inside and we all spread out away from each other and it seems cold and distant. I honestly feel that we would have better services if everyone would come together as one. At least move down toward the front and participate instead of sitting way back in the back like they have one foot out the door.

Last week, my aunt Barbara asked me if I would sing "Man of Sorrows, What A Name," during the communion service. I wasn't sure how people would react to it. It's not the "usual" Highland kind of hymn. The song was written in the 1800's by one of the greatest hymn writers in history, Philip Bliss. It tells the story of Jesus and is so touching. I didn't hear any feedback afterwards so I'm still not sure how well it went over. I love this kind of music. I also sang it more in the fashion of how I was trained to sing and it felt nice to me. You can listen to me sing this song with Barbara playing the piano, here:

Man of Sorrows, What a Name

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

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For as such is the Kingdom of God

"Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world."
- Jesus Loves the Little Children - Lyrics by: C. Herbert Woolston

I love this picture. I took this with my Blackberry one evening at church. It was just before Christmas and Barbara was teaching the children some new songs. They sounded really good when they sang them too!

I wish our church had more little children. It just seems to bring more life into the church. I'm praying that God will send some new families our way that have small children.

"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." -Luke 18:15-17 KJV

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