The daughter of the Last Southern Belle died on May 17, 2007. It is hard to say farewell to a dearly loved one. The following poem was read at both of her services.

Crossing the Bar

by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar

When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam.

When that which drew from the boundless deep

Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell

When I embark.
For, though from out our bourne of time and place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

**

This poem referenced a sandbar on the River Thames that ships had to pass over. They could not make the passage until high tide. The poem assures us that God will be there to guide us in death, as in life.