Dear Family and Friends,
 
I'm writing to let you know that my beloved wife Shirley Jean (Cindy) Higgs Johnson passed away at 10:25 p.m. last Friday, 10/19/07.  It was the most traumatic experience of my lifetime.  I was listening to her heart with a stethoscope and watching her breathing as both began to slow.  I knew the time was short.  She was aware up to the last few hours.  I leaned over and spoke into her ear that it was okay for her to leave, and then said "Lord Jesus, I commit her spirit unto you".  And within one minute she breathed her last.
 
For some time, I felt that my entire being was literally being torn apart, and my emotional state reflected it.  My wonderful daughter Jennifer was also with us, and had been all day up to the end.  I cannot adequately describe the closeness of Jenny and her Mom.  They communicated on every level possible all of Jenny's life.  Needless to say that she too was devastated as she watched her dear mother and best friend depart from this life.
 
She was buried this past Wednesday with family members only present, which was what Cindy desired.  There will be a Memorial Service at the University Covenant Church in Davis, Ca. tomorrow, 10/27/07 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception held in my home at 606 Cleveland Street, Davis, Ca.
 
If anyone wants to remember Cindy in some monetary way, donations can be made to COME & SEE Ministries, 606 Cleveland St., Davis, CA  95616, or Yolo County Hospice.
As I think all of you know, Come & See is a ministry which I founded in 1981.  It is a 501 c3, state and federally recognized para-Church organization.
 
I want you to know that in my great grief, I am also experiencing God's marvelous joy in the knowledge that her spirit is currently in the presence of the Lord.  I met Cindy in February 1954 (love at first sight for us both, I believe), and we were married December 23, 1955.
 
Praise the name of Jesus!
 
In Him,
 
Lance