I received a phone call at work the morning of July 16, 2009 informing me that my close friend Charlene’s son, Specialist Carlos Eduardo Wilcox, IV was shot and killed that morning while serving in Basra, Iraq. Carlos was just 27 years old. Words could not describe the deep sorrow I felt for Charlene and her family. As a mother, I cannot think of anything more devastating than the loss of a child. I could not have cried enough tears to comfort her in this time of grieving.
Charlene lost her husband in a car accident years ago and was left a widow with four small children. During her time of grieving her husband’s death, Carlos and his brother, Charles started attending our church with some neighborhood friends. Eventually Charlene and her daughters, Ona and Bianca, joined them. Carlos was a special child of God and so many lives were touched by him. His love for people was much like the love of Christ. His mother would reflect on this after his funeral.
Two other soldiers from our part of town were killed along side of Carlos. Charlene was flown to Delaware where they brought her son’s body. The parents of the other soldiers were there as well. They were devastated as expected; however Charlene was comforting them and praying for the peace of God to fall on them. Our Pastor, who flew to Delaware with Charlene, mentioned during service the following Sunday that he never truly understood what “Peace that passes all understanding” truly meant until that very moment.
When Charlene returned from Delaware, I went to visit her. She was broken, but God’s hand was definitely on her. She insisted that no one wear black to the funeral because it was going to be a celebration of her son going home to Jesus. I visited her every day that week and she continued to praise God thought it all. He is our strength and she knows that all too well.
The “Celebration Service” was the following Friday - July 24, 2009. It was the most beautiful funeral I have ever attended. Over 700 people tried desperately to jam themselves into our tiny church building. Many were left standing in the parking lot, but they did not leave until the service was over. In the parking lot, prior to the service, as the procession was coming in, you could hear a pin drop. Seven hundred people - each one completely silent - except for their falling tears.
The Sunday following the service, Charlene praised the Lord just like she did every Sunday morning prior. Her voice was always heard saying “Thank you, Jesus” and “Amen, Pastor!” It was just a part of our Sunday service every week…and even still. After praise and worship, Charlene got up and spoke to the congregation. In the midst of her deep sorrow, she still considered others above herself…thanking everyone for their prayers and support.
As Charlene was reflecting on the past week she told one of the pastor’s wives this; “They think they took my son’s life, but they didn’t. He laid down his life for this cause.” Wow…how much more Christ-like could someone be? Carlos had learned well from his mother.
Our congregation consists of about 150 members. Each and every one of us would agree that Charlene is the most amazing, Christ-like member of all. We all strive to be more and more like Christ, but His love radiates from her every minute of every day. Our hearts were broken for her, yet she was the one who would praise God through it all.
