Della V. Searls

On Monday afternoon, March 31, 2008, at 4:38 p.m., the good Lord sent a band of angels to carry our dear, loving mother to her new home in Heaven, where there is no sickness, pain or sorrow. Her six remaining children gathered round her bed and sang her favorite hymns to bid her farewell, while a multitude of her family and friends, waiting at Heaven's portals, welcomed her with outstretched arms. Heaven is still rejoicing. Della V. Searls was born June 28, 1918 at Ira, West Virginia to the late Charles A. and Hester A. (Duffield) Ebert. Born into a large, loving family, she was the ninth of thirteen children. She was wed on a beautiful spring day, April 16, 1940, to Harry C. Searls. To this union were born seven children who could not have loved her more. In addition to her parents and husband, those preceding her in death and welcoming her at Heaven's gate included her son Roger Lee Searls; three brothers, Arnold Ebert, Rev. Clarence Ebert, and Charles Ebert Jr.; seven sisters, Helen Thompson, Bessie Ebert, Lena Strow, Irene Kirk, Clara Treen, Rosa Ebert and Nora Hanning; a daughter-in-law, Ethel Searls; and a great granddaughter, Brooke McCabe. Those surviving and missing her sweet smile are three sons, Lynn Searls and Shelby (Cathy) Searls, both of Southside, West Virginia, and Keith Searls of Huntington, West Virginia; three daughters, Sue (George) Harless of Chelyan, West Virginia, Carolyn "Honey" (Eddie) McCabe of Mogadore, Ohio, and Kay (Mike) Hatfield of Gallipolis Ferry, West Virginia. Also surviving are two sisters, Mattie Wright of Eccles, West Virginia, her twin sister Ella Duckworth of Ocala, Florida; a niece, who was always like a sister to her, Delores Drennen of Milton, Florida; a sister-in-law, Gwen Ebert of Henderson, West Virginia; fourteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Della was a kind and compassionate Christian woman who lived to worship our Lord. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years to the youth of College Hill Church at Gallipolis Ferry, West Virginia, and recently also attended Faith Gospel Church with her children. She was a wonderful mother who loved to cook for her family, and she was a retired cook in the Mason County School System. Mother's gone, but not forgotten. Neither shall her memory fade. Dearest thoughts shall ever linger Round the grave where she was laid. But, oh bliss, again we'll meet her At the pearly gates afar. By and by some day we'll greet her Some sweet day beyond the bar. Friends may call Thursday, April 3rd from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The funeral service will be held at the Faith Gospel Church in Gallipolis Ferry, West Virginia on Friday, April 4, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dale (Sanders) Rulen officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Montgomery Memorial Park, London, West Virginia Online condolences may be made at www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.