Greetings in the precious Name of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and soon coming King of Kings.  On July 30, 2002, a very dear friend of mine, Marge Tanner, went home to be with Jesus.  Marge has been my friend for 22 years.  Her heath was sudden and unexpected.  Marge was serving a term of 7 years to life with the possibility of parole.  She was only 63.  She had been given a parole date 12 years ago, but our former Governor took it away from her.  Marge accepted Jesus as her Savior in county jail before she came to CIW.  For as long as I knew Marge, she lived to serve her Savior and Lord, Jesus, by serving all who crossed her path.  The love of God flowed through her like a river.  There was never a time when I didn’t see Marge with a smile.  She always carried Kleenex and candy in her pockets.  Why?  Because in prison; someone is always crying or needs something sweet.  Marge was always prepared.

Even though Marge was in prison, her loving compassion for people and her devotion to Jesus touched thousands upon thousands of lives.  When the word came to prison that Marge had died, there was a very long sound of silence as tears streamed down the cheeks of prisoners and staff alike.  Those who knew Marge know she’s with Jesus in Heaven – Free!  When Marge left this earth, she left all who knew her and loved her, as well as those who only met her in passing, a legacy and an example of the love of Jesus Christ in action.  Marge was also one of my art teachers and mentors.  Her paintings and drawings were part of the reason why I wanted to learn to draw and paint.  Every now and then, God allows us a glimpse of His grace and compassion in the lives of special people who live it every day.  Marge obeyed the commandment Jesus gave us all, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  She wasn’t a preacher or an evangelist, a healer or miracle worker, but everywhere Marge walked and worked in this prison, her actions proclaimed the gospel Jesus preached.  Souls were saved, hearts were healed, and miracles of changed lives were her legacy.

Marge and Mother Teresa were very much alike.  They both loved Jesus and served Him by loving people no matter who they were.  This prison will never be the same without Marge.  By that I mean, there are now more hugs being given, more Kleenex and candy are being carried in pockets in case tears need to be wiped away or someone just needs a little something sweet on a sour day.  More smiles and genuine questions of, “How are you today?” are being asked with more listening ears and compassionate hearts.  Marge was never too busy to stop and care about someone else in need.  If you have never net someone like Marge Tanner, perhaps you may want to review I Corinthians 13:1-3, and ask Jesus to help you become someone like my dear friend and mentor Marge.  She was a wonderful Word-waterer.  She knew that most people knew about Jesus, and that He came to save the lost.  Most prisoners are lost or have backslid.  Her mission was to water the Word of God already in her neighbor’s hearts with the Love of God.  Only God knows today how truly effective her life was here at CIW.  I see the evidence of it as I watch my neighbors and some of the staff here be more loving, kind and compassionate to each other.  Jesus meant what He said, “A commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another” (John 13:34-35).  My friend lived and died as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  It is my prayer that I will carry on as she did, and my hope that you will too.  For the Glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Sincerely, I remain your faith-filled sister in Jesus,   Susan Atkins