Chauming McElhaney Larks, R.N September 18, 1961 – March 1, 2012

On behalf of Chauming, her children (Shekhiynah, Pardes & Gregory), her parents Barbara &

Clarence McElhaney Sr. and the entire McElhaney family, we express our sincere appreciation to

all the brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, co-workers and neighbors for your personal visits,

thoughtful cards, letters, flowers, gifts, telephone calls, food and most especially your prayers.

Your constant display of affection, concern and loyal support has been a tremendous source of

strength during this challenging time. Charm was so grateful for every visit, call, cards and for the

care shown for her children. This was for Charm the truest representation of Christ’s love for her.

Thank you for your expression of love, concern and sympathy. Keep us in your prayers. May the

Almighty God reward your kindness with greater measure.

In Appreciation

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∞ I see a small ship on a long ocean journey. This ship has one purpose, and will only complete one journey. This ship’s cargo is unique, rare and quite precious. As the ship is tossed about relentlessly by the rough seas and powerful winds, the all-volunteer crew, some with and some without prior sailing experience, moves about the vessel as a single purposed individual.

The ship’s journey is long. As one sailor grows fatigued at their post, another volunteer steps forward to enable rest. Minutes turn into hours, hours into days, days into weeks and then weeks into months. The unyielding seas challenge the crew without ceasing. The clouds become darker each day, but an occasional a single sun ray cuts through expanding black angry billowing clouds.

The ships precious cargo, a single soul, the essence of one life, stows securely near the ships helm. Wind battered and drenched by the salty sea, the precious cargo remains calm even as the storm intensifies. The crew remains encouraged and fearless even as the storm‘s wind driven waves fully engulf the small ship. Oars continue in motion, sails raise and lower, and pails are passed about to bail out excess sea water that will otherwise swamp the small craft if left unattended. An occasional smile from the precious cargo fuels and motivates the volunteer crew to persevere even though the journey’s duration and destination are not clear.

At journey’s end, the clouds are darkest, the winds are loudest, the waves the most fierce, but the single passenger, the single precious souls leaves the ship and waves goodbye to the all-volunteer crew that ensure safe passage. The passenger is clearly visible from the ship’s deck waving good bye as the ship disappears into the relentless waves driven by the powerful storm.

It is impossible to call out and recognize all those family and friends that volunteer so much of themselves during these prior challenging five months and the months that follow.

How does one say “Thank You” to those who take up the oar, or man the sail, during the most violent storm without prompting or hesitation. We thank you all. I thank you all.

Vince McElhaney

Mingleton Temple Church of God in Christ Bishop J.C. Jenkins, Pastor

1222 Market Street, Oakland, CA 94607 Saturday, March 10, 2012

Texas Baptist Children’s Chapel 1101 North Mays

Round Rock, Texas 78664 Saturday, March 17, 2012

Memorial Services Entrusted to:

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Order of Service

Processional Victor McElhaney

Officiant Elder Ronald Thompson

Invocation Dr. Samuel Clifton

Scripture

Old Testament

Psalms 91 Min. Larry Manning

New Testament Hebrews 4:16 Pastor Gabriel Riley

Praise & Worship True Vine Ministries

Poetry Vanessa McDaniels

Proclamation Mingleton Temple Dr. Sandi Stevenson

Acknowledgements The Family

Praise Dance. Staci Smith

Musical Selection Yvonne Stinson

Words of Comfort Bishop Robert Young

Obituary The Family

Special Tribute Video

Expressions (2 Minutes Please)

Closing Prayer & Ceremony The Kaddish Officiant

The McElhaney family will greet you at a reception immediately following the service.

Born the second child and only daughter of the loving union of Clarence Allen and Barbara Jean

McElhaney, Chauming was “something special.” Born on September 18, 1961, Charm was known by all

as a generous, kind, intelligent and loving young woman. Charm was as pretty as she was bright, with

those unmistakable big bright eyes and a smile that lit up the room.

Chauming accepted Christ at an early age and loved the Lord with her whole heart. She received her

early scriptural training at Mingleton Temple Church of God in Christ where she quickly demonstrated

that she inherited her parents’ love of God and call to service. She excelled in participation in Sunday

School, YPWW, participated in the Youth Department, regularly completing her Sunday School studies for

the week in a single day. Chauming was baptized, received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and developed

many life-long friendships as she served in numerous axillaries including starting a youth club, directing

and singing in the choir, teaching and hospitality.

She enjoyed a wonderful childhood, where she was her big brother Clarence Jr’s darling and enjoyed

being the adoring “Big sis” to Vincent, Marcus and Maurice (although that pesky Vincent was one to pull

a few too many pranks that could just work her last nerve). Weekends were often spent with the

McClure’s, the Harris, the McClanahan’s and the Riley’s where lots of love, good food and play were in

ample supply.

Charm received her formal education in Oakland Public Schools, attending Manzanita Elementary, Bret

Harte Jr. High, and graduating with honors from Oakland High School in 1979. Chauming LOVED music,

especially Gospel. She studied clarinet in Middle School, tried her hand at the violin (not a good fit) and

later learned piano. Always true to her convictions, Charm avoided typical teen rebellion and enjoyed

high school by serving as a Candy-striper and becoming a director in Oakland High’s popular gospel choir

along with good friends Regina Harper, Maggie Winters and Robin Hodge, going on to become a

musician with Restoration Christian Ministries.

Fueled by her passion to help people, Charm went on to study medicine at the CSU Hayward. Working

her way through school at Great Western Bank, Charm earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1984.

For 25 years, Charm served our community as a Registered Nurse with the Kaiser Oakland Medical

Center, where she quickly developed a reputation as the praying nurse. She helped deliver 100s of

babies, was a comfort to her patients, an encourager for her peers and an advisor/confidant and friend

to patients, doctors, nurses, and staff. Whether she was serving in OB/GYN, E.R. or in the Advice Center,

Charm never lost sight of her passion to serve and help others. Whether she was holding a hand while a

baby was coming into the world, or discerning that the woman on the call needed help to leave an

abusive relationship, Charm was there listening attentively, offering advice, support and a prayer.

In 1996 she fell in love with and married James Larks and through this union God created three beautiful

children: Shekhiynah, Pardes and Gregory Moshe – who were her absolute joy. In her typical selfless

manner, Charm poured everything she had into her children, enrolling them in Christian school, carving

out special “mommy-time” for each one, laboring over school projects and instilling in them the

McElhaney Family values: a deep love for God, love for family and service to others. In 2011, Charm

took the children on the roadtrip of a lifetime, visiting relatives in Southern California and Texas, while

enjoying beautiful beaches and experiencing God’s glory in the Grand Canyon. It was her dream to see

the country with her kids and she did that. She always looked for ways to make them feel special and to

demonstrate her love in action. From snuggle-time to roller-skating trips that left her on crutches, she

embraced motherhood as a grand adventure and she enjoyed every minute of it.

Chauming was a life-long learner. Her idea of fun was reading, researching and learning, especially

about the things of God, about Black people and women – continuing to ask for books in her last few

days. Wanting to go ever-deeper in her knowledge of God, she learned to read Hebrew and sought to

see God in her everyday life. And, she saw the hand and heart of God in every visit, card, gift of food

and fellowship that she enjoyed over the past few months. She especially loved the support that she

saw extended to her parents and her children.

Charm’s love for her family and friends was evident throughout her life and until her last day with us. A

deeply spiritual woman, she never doubted God’s love or provision and challenged each of us to hold

onto our faith. Without fail, Charm ministered the gospel with unwavering faith to those who came to

visit. And, in an act of great care and grace, Charm waited for her dad to return from his out of state trip

before entering her final rest. Upon his return, Chauming passed peacefully from this life the morning of

March 1, cradled in her mother’s arms, in the company of her sister-friend Keischa as she listened to "It

Is Well With My Soul" by Wintley Phipps.

Oprah Winfrey, a woman Charm admired greatly, has said “God Can Dream a Bigger Dream for you than

you can dream for yourself... far beyond anything you could ever imagine.” Although we do not

understand His way, we have confidence that God has honored Charm’s dreams for her children and her

family and her desire to know and be with the Messiah. And now that she is absent from that frail body

she is now home with our Lord. Her quest is now complete.

Charm is survived by her parents Barbara and Clarence Sr.; three children Shekhiynah, Pardes and

Gregory Moshe; four brothers (and spouses): Clarence Jr. (Lynette), Vincent (Livia), Marcus (Mitsouky)

and Maurice (Kellie); her grandmother Irene Jones; her sisters (the 3 Tracys, Gigi, Vanessa, Yvonne, Staci,

Keischa, Andrea); her nephews and nieces (Clarence Allen, Eric, Victor, Keturah, Nile, Makayla,

Matthias) and a host of Aunts, Uncles, cousins and loving co-workers and friends.

Chauming ~ God’s Precious Gift

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Remembering Chauming Mourner’s Kaddish

A Hebrew prayer of Remembrance

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At the rising of the sun and at its going down,

we remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,

we remember them.

At the opening of the buds and the rebirth of spring,

we remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and the warmth of summer,

we remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,

we remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends,

we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength,

we remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart,

we remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share,

we remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make,

we remember them.

When we have achievements that are based on their's,

we remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live,

for they are a part of us.