Editor's Note: Long-time pastor's wife, Debbie Talbert, was called Home on January 15, 2023, less than a year after being diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Our continuing prayers go up on behalf of Pastor Bud and his kids. Meadowlands Baptist Church hosted Debbie's memorial service on January 21. A link to the video of the service can be found here: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12123222139437.
The eulogies below were shared at the memorial.
IN MEMORY OF DEBBIE TALBERT
The Whetstone
Eulogy for Debbie Talbert
by Lisa Miller
In 2007 my husband Michael and I moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Pastor Bud and Debbie Talbert had faithfully served for 20 years in Calgary, where Pastor Bud had planted Foundation Baptist Church. The Talberts would soon be moving north to the cold, barren land of this city - Edmonton.
Even in our first few days in Calgary, I learned one thing - to know Mrs. T. is to love Mrs. T. Mrs. Talbert had a warmth, genuineness, and transparency that made each person feel at home with her. God used her as a mother-figure in the lives of Christian ladies all across western Canada. Many first-generation Christians looked to Mrs. Talbert as an example, a mentor, and a friend – as did many young ladies, like myself, who lived a physical distance from our own moms.
Mrs. Talbert was a Titus 2 woman, adorning the doctrine of God by her example and her words. Her life was not her own – she was intent on giving God glory. When Mrs. T. sent you an email, you’ll remember she would usually include Psalm 34:3 on the bottom, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Her desire was to see God glorified here in Alberta.
In December God gave our family the opportunity to sit down with Pastor and Mrs. Talbert in their home for one final visit. Her God-focus was on full display when she encouraged us with these words: “So many Christians ask, ‘Why me?’ when facing a trial; but I ask this question: ‘Why not me?’” In other words, “it’s not about me – it's about the glory of God.” If she was with us today, she would want us to make much of the God who saved her.
Mrs. Talbert lived with this God-focus. She lived in the fear of the Lord – “the beginning of wisdom.” It was very apparent that God gave Mrs. Talbert a humility and wisdom that were not her own. Time with her was always time well spent. Forget the fluffy conversations – she had a way of connecting with hearts with practical wisdom and love. Mrs. Talbert encouraged me to think truth, speak truth, and live truth.
One way that Mrs. T. was like Jesus is that she loved kids. Even while Mrs. Talbert was suffering, she was thinking of others. During our final visit with her, she told our daughter Madison she had a gift she wanted her to open. Inside was a teacup and saucer with these instructions from Mrs. Talbert: “When you use this teacup, I want you to remember me and thank God we could be special friends, and then I want you to pray for a missionary.”
This past Sunday, after we had learned of Mrs. Talbert’s passing, Madison and I sat down for a cup of tea together with the teacup from Mrs. Talbert. We prayed for a missionary. And then we thanked God for the time He gave us with Mrs. Talbert – our special friend, and faithful missionary hero, who gave her life for God’s kingdom work here in Alberta, Canada.
<BackEven in our first few days in Calgary, I learned one thing - to know Mrs. T. is to love Mrs. T. Mrs. Talbert had a warmth, genuineness, and transparency that made each person feel at home with her. God used her as a mother-figure in the lives of Christian ladies all across western Canada. Many first-generation Christians looked to Mrs. Talbert as an example, a mentor, and a friend – as did many young ladies, like myself, who lived a physical distance from our own moms.
Mrs. Talbert was a Titus 2 woman, adorning the doctrine of God by her example and her words. Her life was not her own – she was intent on giving God glory. When Mrs. T. sent you an email, you’ll remember she would usually include Psalm 34:3 on the bottom, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Her desire was to see God glorified here in Alberta.
In December God gave our family the opportunity to sit down with Pastor and Mrs. Talbert in their home for one final visit. Her God-focus was on full display when she encouraged us with these words: “So many Christians ask, ‘Why me?’ when facing a trial; but I ask this question: ‘Why not me?’” In other words, “it’s not about me – it's about the glory of God.” If she was with us today, she would want us to make much of the God who saved her.
Mrs. Talbert lived with this God-focus. She lived in the fear of the Lord – “the beginning of wisdom.” It was very apparent that God gave Mrs. Talbert a humility and wisdom that were not her own. Time with her was always time well spent. Forget the fluffy conversations – she had a way of connecting with hearts with practical wisdom and love. Mrs. Talbert encouraged me to think truth, speak truth, and live truth.
One way that Mrs. T. was like Jesus is that she loved kids. Even while Mrs. Talbert was suffering, she was thinking of others. During our final visit with her, she told our daughter Madison she had a gift she wanted her to open. Inside was a teacup and saucer with these instructions from Mrs. Talbert: “When you use this teacup, I want you to remember me and thank God we could be special friends, and then I want you to pray for a missionary.”
This past Sunday, after we had learned of Mrs. Talbert’s passing, Madison and I sat down for a cup of tea together with the teacup from Mrs. Talbert. We prayed for a missionary. And then we thanked God for the time He gave us with Mrs. Talbert – our special friend, and faithful missionary hero, who gave her life for God’s kingdom work here in Alberta, Canada.
Tribute to Debbie Talbert
by Holly Williams
How do you sum up Debbie in a few minutes? You can’t, but I’m going to try to tell you what twenty-one of us ministry wives of western Canada would summarize together.
Debbie was the first arrival of our fellowship back in 1988, so we considered her like a matriarch, and by that I mean “a highly respected woman who is a mother.”
She was a godly mother, but also a mother-like figure to ministry wives. When you were in her presence you knew you were loved. She taught all of us, not like a stern, judgmental, by the rule-book teacher, but as one who had gone before us and as a mentor that had much wisdom from experience. One pastor’s wife said, “Her wisdom and gentleness in recommending how to respond to trials and burdens left me feeling comforted, exhorted, and loved….She was quick to listen and asked good questions, providing open space for us to share and trustworthy ears to hear….She wasn’t so quick to speak all her mind and opinions. Compassion could be found in her and a desire to walk beside us with love and humility….She had a God given ability to have you unexpectedly open up and share deep burdens. Sometimes things you hadn’t previously put to words.” She shared both biblical and practical wisdom. She used Scriptures concerning our struggles, needs and growth, because she was a woman of God’s Word and studied it every day. It showed up in the fruit of the Spirit we all saw in her. Her practical wisdom came out in things such as where the best place to buy a certain item would be and how to stretch a dollar.
She was known as “The Alberta Book Lady.” She would buy good books, used and new, at discount and bring her tables full of special finds to our Ladies’ Retreats. She was passionate about ladies being immersed in solid Christian resources. During her later years she added her pretty, handcrafted, encouraging greeting cards, and her artwork canvases of her Alberta photography put to verse. Our church purchased several and they have been used for unique and personal bereavement gifts to bless and comfort those grieving.
Debbie took time to enjoy and recreate beautiful things—like capturing that rugged mountain perfectly glinted with snow, or the farmer’s field white unto harvest. Several have had the opportunity to experience her hospitality and have said she would put in the guest room fresh, fragrant flowers that reminded them of home, welcoming snacks and drinks. She would engage her guests in personal heartfelt conversations. Some have carried over these ideas to their own guest rooms. She also was careful about the dietary needs of those who visited. She was a good cook and when a cookbook was made from our church many years ago, she was the biggest contributor. I know when her health required dietary changes several years ago, it was hard for her like it is hard for anyone who has to go through that. But she wasn’t a complainer and she learned to adapt and find the best places for gluten free. She introduced me to some of those places. If anyone is here from Chartier, then my introduction to your lovely restaurant was from Debbie. We shared several special times there.
All the biblical pictures of a godly women we try to emulate were pretty much summed up in Debbie. The Proverbs 31 women and Titus 2 definitely were characteristic of her. She lived out the Titus 2 “older women” mentality and didn’t let her lack of energy and health in recent years keep her from mentoring and discipling other ladies, even if it meant doing it by phone or video meeting. She was a testimony of a respectful, doting and loving wife, of a supportive praying mother and involved grandmother, even “Purple Grandma” to many added little friends. She was passionate about pouring into ladies. She was an encourager; she also knew how to challenge one to their greater potential. I often would be reminded to take care of myself because she knew how busy ministry is. Debbie also was human—she had fears, frustrations, questions, wrestling’s, and discouragements. She gave these things to God. She never stopped growing in Christ until the very end. She wanted to be biblical, not just traditional. If she needed to step back and look at something with fresh eyes and not how she had always seen it, then she did. If her thinking had to be realigned toward Scripture, then she realigned it.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future [or some translations say ‘laughs’—Debbie had a really good laugh]. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (Prov. 31:25-26, 29-31). We see the product of her hands and her works praising her in the eulogies and in the audience represented here today. Several have said they just regret not having more time with her.
One summed it up perfectly: “She provided so much comfort to those around her, I smile now knowing she is the one immersed in God’s eternal comfort.” We trust that because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, not based on merit of how good of a person Debbie was, that she is now enjoying her eternal reward and is with Jesus for all eternity. I said it to Debbie personally, but I’ll say it again, “Well done, you have left quite the legacy to emulate! We loved you Debbie and you will be greatly missed.”
<BackDebbie was the first arrival of our fellowship back in 1988, so we considered her like a matriarch, and by that I mean “a highly respected woman who is a mother.”
She was a godly mother, but also a mother-like figure to ministry wives. When you were in her presence you knew you were loved. She taught all of us, not like a stern, judgmental, by the rule-book teacher, but as one who had gone before us and as a mentor that had much wisdom from experience. One pastor’s wife said, “Her wisdom and gentleness in recommending how to respond to trials and burdens left me feeling comforted, exhorted, and loved….She was quick to listen and asked good questions, providing open space for us to share and trustworthy ears to hear….She wasn’t so quick to speak all her mind and opinions. Compassion could be found in her and a desire to walk beside us with love and humility….She had a God given ability to have you unexpectedly open up and share deep burdens. Sometimes things you hadn’t previously put to words.” She shared both biblical and practical wisdom. She used Scriptures concerning our struggles, needs and growth, because she was a woman of God’s Word and studied it every day. It showed up in the fruit of the Spirit we all saw in her. Her practical wisdom came out in things such as where the best place to buy a certain item would be and how to stretch a dollar.
She was known as “The Alberta Book Lady.” She would buy good books, used and new, at discount and bring her tables full of special finds to our Ladies’ Retreats. She was passionate about ladies being immersed in solid Christian resources. During her later years she added her pretty, handcrafted, encouraging greeting cards, and her artwork canvases of her Alberta photography put to verse. Our church purchased several and they have been used for unique and personal bereavement gifts to bless and comfort those grieving.
Debbie took time to enjoy and recreate beautiful things—like capturing that rugged mountain perfectly glinted with snow, or the farmer’s field white unto harvest. Several have had the opportunity to experience her hospitality and have said she would put in the guest room fresh, fragrant flowers that reminded them of home, welcoming snacks and drinks. She would engage her guests in personal heartfelt conversations. Some have carried over these ideas to their own guest rooms. She also was careful about the dietary needs of those who visited. She was a good cook and when a cookbook was made from our church many years ago, she was the biggest contributor. I know when her health required dietary changes several years ago, it was hard for her like it is hard for anyone who has to go through that. But she wasn’t a complainer and she learned to adapt and find the best places for gluten free. She introduced me to some of those places. If anyone is here from Chartier, then my introduction to your lovely restaurant was from Debbie. We shared several special times there.
All the biblical pictures of a godly women we try to emulate were pretty much summed up in Debbie. The Proverbs 31 women and Titus 2 definitely were characteristic of her. She lived out the Titus 2 “older women” mentality and didn’t let her lack of energy and health in recent years keep her from mentoring and discipling other ladies, even if it meant doing it by phone or video meeting. She was a testimony of a respectful, doting and loving wife, of a supportive praying mother and involved grandmother, even “Purple Grandma” to many added little friends. She was passionate about pouring into ladies. She was an encourager; she also knew how to challenge one to their greater potential. I often would be reminded to take care of myself because she knew how busy ministry is. Debbie also was human—she had fears, frustrations, questions, wrestling’s, and discouragements. She gave these things to God. She never stopped growing in Christ until the very end. She wanted to be biblical, not just traditional. If she needed to step back and look at something with fresh eyes and not how she had always seen it, then she did. If her thinking had to be realigned toward Scripture, then she realigned it.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future [or some translations say ‘laughs’—Debbie had a really good laugh]. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (Prov. 31:25-26, 29-31). We see the product of her hands and her works praising her in the eulogies and in the audience represented here today. Several have said they just regret not having more time with her.
One summed it up perfectly: “She provided so much comfort to those around her, I smile now knowing she is the one immersed in God’s eternal comfort.” We trust that because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, not based on merit of how good of a person Debbie was, that she is now enjoying her eternal reward and is with Jesus for all eternity. I said it to Debbie personally, but I’ll say it again, “Well done, you have left quite the legacy to emulate! We loved you Debbie and you will be greatly missed.”