Happily Ever After: Better is one day in Your courts

Better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere. Those are the lyrics that have gotten me through today.

One of my dearest friends passed away on Christmas Eve and her funeral service was today. Trevor got off work so he could be with me and drive me to Lawton to say goodbye.

Here was her obituary:

Funeral service for Emily Chambers will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2015, in First Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Willoughby officiating.

Burial will follow in Flower Mound Cemetery under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Emily died Thursday, December 24, 2015, in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born June 15, 1987 in Lawton, was a 2005 graduate of MacArthur High School and attended college for two years. Emily had worked in Branson, Missouri with the Shoji Tabuchi Show, the Red, Hot and Blue Show and the 50’s at the Hop Show. She also performed at Silver Dollar City in the Frontier Follies and A Wonderful Life. Emily then moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and worked at Dollywood with the Gemtones and Christmas in the Smokies. Emily became an account representative with the Tulsa Oilers and at the time of her death was the marketing and suites manager for the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Baxter Arena.

Emily is well known for her involvement with the Lawton Community Theatre and her roles include: Gladys in Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Annie in both Annie and Annie Warbucks, Brigitta in Sound of Music, Lillian in Cheaper by the Dozen, Becky in The Homecoming, Sister Mary Paul (Amnesia) in Nuncrackers, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz and Denise Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain.

Her vocal accomplishments include Women’s Chorus Oklahoma All State, Oklahoma All State-Vocalist, Junior High National Choir and NATS – Freshman Year at Oklahoma City University.

She was a member of First Baptist Church and had been involved with the Tulsa Junior League. She also had served as an intern in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

She is survived by her mother, Brenda Chambers, Lawton; her father and his wife, Larry and Kimi Chambers, Lawton; two brothers and sisters in law, Jerod and Jennifer Chambers, Charlotte, North Carolina and Trey and Amista Chambers, Lawton; a step brother, Johnathon Loera and a step sister, Alexandria Loera; maternal grandmother, Velta Hair, Okemeh, Oklahoma; paternal grandparents, Wayne and Rose Chambers, Beggs, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews, Felicity, Fletcher, Finley and Crash Chambers.

Her maternal grandfather, Charles Hair, preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawton Community Theater, P.O. Box 42, Lawton, OK 73502.

Just from reading that you could tell that Emily was EXTREMELY talented and involved. Those things are all true, but it left out a few things. Emily would seriously brighten up a room when she walked in. She had an infectious laugh and a sense of humor that made you feel like you knew her for years even if you just met her. She was the best person to watch a movie with because she just laughed out loud at all of the good parts which made a movie seem better than it was at times. She was the best person to watch sports with because she would yell at the screen as much as all of the guys. She had a passion for life that was compelling. She had a heart made of gold! She always cared for others and put others before herself. She would drop anything to hang out. She put people and relationships first. She was the best puppy sitter and always cared for Winston as if he were her own. She was seriously BEAUTIFUL and had a smile that would brighten anyone's day! I could go on and on, but I will leave it at this.

Emily, I would give anything to talk to you one last time. I would give anything to see one of your crazy Twitter posts again that make everyone laugh! Thank you for your unwavering friendship whether we lived a few miles from each other or states away. Thank you for sharing my love of McAlisters and Rib Crib sweet tea and Shania Twain...well, all country music for that matter! Your earthly time was brief, but I know that God put you in my life for a reason! You make me a better person. Thank you for the million and one laughs that we shared over who knows what! Heaven is lucky to receive an angel as beautiful as you! Winston wanted me to tell you that he loves you Auntie Em! I love you pretty girl and I will see you again one day!