Juanita “Pug” Fluker of Columbus, Georgia passed away Saturday May 4, 2013 in Columbus.

Memorial services will be held 2:30 p.m. EST Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in the Edgewood Baptist Church with Reverend Andy Merritt officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, Georgia.

Pug’s life was characterized by her love for and commitment to her lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite poem from childhood was Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” and in the 2nd line there is the phrase “and one clear call for me.” Her one clear call was to know Christ and to make Him known. This singularity of purpose and focus was lived out in many practical and meaningful ways and was evident to all who knew her or knew of her.

Pug was a Proverbs 31 wife and mother who supported and unconditionally loved her husband, Tom, of 58 years. She taught her three children to love and obey God and His Word through her life lived-out as well as through her instruction. When her grandchildren came along, she was not content to just enjoy them, but to purposefully impact their lives for Christ. She knew all their favorite meals, games, books, hobbies and likes/dislikes. Her house looked like a kid’s playroom and library. She touched their lives and passed down her legacy of love and commitment to Christ that will remain here and continue to influence the world for Christ even though she is now gone in mortal form.

Her sphere of influence was not only her husband, children and grandchildren, but anyone they would befriend, hang around with or who would show up on the doorstep. She loved people and purposed to make a difference in their lives for Christ, whoever they were and whatever they believed and wherever they were in their lives or spiritual walk. She had a way of making everyone feel loved and special by getting to know them individually and intimately and meeting their needs where they were. She had a way of sharing God’s truths, even when it was not an easy thing, and get to the real issues in peoples’ lives; and in this way she truly made a difference for Christ.

In addition to being a Proverbs 31 wife and mom she was also a Titus 2 woman. Not content to take it easy after her own family was grown, she took to heart the admonition of scriptures to pass those lessons on to the next generation of moms, wives and children outside of her own family: “Older women likewise are … to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children..” Faithful to the scriptures and the leading of God’s Spirit, she also devoted her life to sharing and teaching those inside the faith and outside her immediate family the life lessons she had learned throughout her years of experiencing life and faith. This was true all throughout her life, but especially through several ministries at Edgewood Baptist Church, her church for the last 36 years when they had their final move to Columbus. These ministries included the children’s ministry of AWANAs, Way of Life discipleship groups, Titus 2 women groups and anyone she met that had a need.

Although Pug is physically gone from this earth she will live on through her legacy of Love and Faith she has passed on to her physical children as well as her spiritual children. And she has impacted even those she has not known, through her example and encouragement to make a difference for Christ in all areas of her life.

One of Pug’s key philosophies for her own life and one she tried to instill in others was: “Only one life and it will soon pass; Only what is done for Christ will last.” Well, her life on earth has now passed, but the good she has done for Christ is abundant and has made a difference for eternity. I know she has already seen her Pilot face to face and he has said to her, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Pug was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper W. Voltz and Eula Guinn Voltz and her brother, James D. Voltz.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas D. Fluker, her daughters, Karen Fluker Edwards and Janet Fluker, her son, Thomas D. Fluker, Jr., brother, Charles W. Voltz, sister, Sara Ayon and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, make contributions to the Edgewood Baptist Church or American Cancer Society.