The Woman In My Attic: In Memoriam

What happened was...

March 1, 2010, my husband, Lamont, and I were walking along a road about dusk. We were in mid-conversation, he had turned to me (I was to his right, he was on the outside) to say something, and in the next instant, he was gone. A car had come from behind us and hit him. It had been a drunk driver. But he didn't flee the scene. And my husband survived this trauma, by God's grace alone. I remember raising my fists to the sky that night, and yelling up at God, "NOT TONIGHT! I WILL NOT BE A WIDOW TONIGHT!! NO, LORD! NO!"

My husband's prognosis was good. Fractured bones, but no brain damage, and no internal injuries. A miracle! It was reasonable to expect him to walk our eldest daughter down the aisle in July, maybe with the assistance of a crutch. He did very well in his rehabilitation. Always the overachiever, he was released a week ahead of schedule. He had plans. We also had a graduation to attend in May. Our second child was finishing college in Alabama. And the doctors gave my husband the green light to travel. Bro Wynn didn't want to be anywhere else but at his daughter's graduation the weekend of May 8, 2010. We boarded our flight on May 5, because of celebrations taking place on the 6th - a President's reception for the parents of the graduates. We made it. The weekend was ahead, with all the great things it promised.

The following is the "peace" I wrote the day after my husband died. It was for all our friends and family to read the details of what took place that weekend. I post it here for those who don't know.

JUST SO YOU KNOW

By Bridgette G. Wynn

May 9, 2010

My college sweetheart, Rufus Lamont Wynn, passed away after suffering a massive heart attack at approximately 6:27 p.m. CST on this past Sabbath (May 8), at the Huntsville Hospital. He had enjoyed a beautiful time with family and friends; starting with the President's reception for parents of the graduates on Thursday night, Consecration ceremony on Friday night, and Baccalaureate on Sabbath morning. There were no signs of potential problems. However, the probable cause for the heart attack was PE (pulmonary embolism - blood clot).

After taking a short nap in between Sabbath dinner and the upcoming Commencement ceremony, Lamont got up to go the restroom. However, on his way, he was stricken with what was determined to be a stroke, fell to the floor in the hallway, and began to seize. His sister, an RN, was present and was able to stabilize him as EMT were on their way. Lamont became coherent and spoke to us, saying he wanted to continue going where he was trying to go; he even tried to get up. Then, in his usual way, he began to pray. (hallelujah) His mother was by his side praying, as was I. The paramedics arrived and his sister, Gloria, began giving them his vital information. She directed them to get the portable EKG machine. Later she would tell me she knew he was in cardiac arrest.

We only had moments - but by God's grace and wisdom, I instructed the graduate party (Angela and all the family and friends gathered), to go on to the ceremony. It wasn't to start for 2 hours. I went in the ambulance with Lamont. I rode in front with the driver. Everyone had begun praying - and I made some calls.

When we arrived at the hospital, they took him in immediately and someone showed me to a small family waiting room. I never saw him again, alive. The doctor came to me about 30 minutes later and said they had done all they could to revive him, but were unable. He also told me that had they been able to start his heart, he would have been brain dead. GOD IS MERCIFUL!!

For the second time in 68 days, God has had His people in place! He always does! Lamont was surrounded by his family, his 3 children, and long time friends from grade school, high school and college! What a time!! And to show you just how careful of details our God is - our friend, Karen Watson, lives here in Huntsville, and is a licensed mortician. She is also a former Revived! member and also sang in a trio with us, called "Signed, Sealed and Delivered". We had fellowship with her during this visit, and were planning to get together and sing some of our old songs...God fixed it so that we used her funeral home! She herself - took care of transporting Lamont from the hospital, and preparing him for the trip back to California. And thanks to Teria Bryant, his body will be met at the Ontario airport by the owner of McKays Family Mortuary.

God is good!! We have felt the love and prayers. We appreciate so much, your calls and beautiful words and thoughts...God gave you to us, to celebrate with us, to fellowship with us, and to cry with us. Lamont was well loved - so many people have come by to pray, sing and reminisce.

I bless the Lord for allowing me to be wife of Lamont for 31 years, and mother of his children. I met him on the steps of Peterson Hall at Oakwood College, Huntsville, AL, 37 years ago. I kissed him good-bye in the Huntsville hospital on May 8, as the Sabbath was coming to a close. There will be a memorial service for my man, which will be announced.

All who knew Lamont, know he loved the Lord, and the Bible. I encourage us to remember how precious and fragile this life truly is. Let's grow closer to the Lord, make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10), study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), love one another as Jesus loves us (John 13:34-35), that we may be found standing in that great multitude that no man could number! (Revelation 7:9-17) These were some of Lamont's favorite texts; texts he tried to live by, by God's Holy Spirit.

Finally, my dearly beloved, think on these things:

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Pictorial memories of a strong, 35-year love relationship. Bro Wynn is gone, but never will be forgotten. I'm so blessed to have had him in my life, to grow through the good and the bad times, and come out victorious and in love and on one accord with God and each other when our time was done! Amen, Lord Jesus! Thank You for showing me how it should be done!

Rufus Lamont "Pooky" Wynn, 6/26/1954 - 5/8/2010