Georgia-Cumberland Conference - Bethany's Legacy Remembered




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Bethany's Legacy Remembered

When Bethany Kacak sang “My Legacy” at her eighth-grade graduation, it wasn’t likely that she or anyone else there imagined those lyrics would be shared at her funeral a little more than a year later. The lyrics (click here to read the lyrics) share the truly important legacy of pointing others to Christ. The words, “Well done, good and faithful one,” were very appropriate for a 16-year-old who left just that kind of a legacy.

At Bethany’s funeral on Sabbath, July 22, 2006, the 250-seat chapel at the Little Davenport Funeral Home in Gainesville, Ga., was packed to capacity, with scores of people overflowing into the funeral home’s hallways and common areas.

Through music, shared memories, and words of hope, Bethany’s life was celebrated and those who loved her were encouraged to hold on to the hope of seeing her again when Jesus returns.

Bethany was remembered as vivacious, athletic, and fun-loving. She was remembered for her love of wakeboarding and the color pink. She was also remembered for her love of her family, friends, and God.

The Kacak’s pastor, Maurice Witt, remembered Bethany’s love for her family during his biographical sketch of her life. The Gainesville Adventist Church pastor remembers that during his Friday morning worships at Gainesville Adventist Elementary School, she would always ask for prayer for her family.

Witt remembered that Bethany wasn’t excited at first about going away to Georgia-Cumberland Academy, but that she quickly fell in the love the school and the friends she made there.

When Georgia-Cumberland Academy Chaplain Greg Hudson gave those in attendance the chance to share memories of Bethany, memories of a 16-year-old who loved her family, friends and wakeboarding poured out.

There were plenty of memories that brought laughter. Memories like the story from one Cohutta Springs Youth Camp staff member of how a call went out on the staff radios at the beginning of the Wakeboard Camp that a camper didn’t want to take the swimming test because she could swim just fine and didn’t want to get her hair wet. The staff member recalled he knew immediately that it was Bethany.

Camp Director Rob Lang presented to Bethany’s parents a scrapbook of Bethany’s life put together by the Cohutta Staff. He and his staff then sang the camp’s theme song.

Lang expressed his appreciation to the family for the support of Cohutta Spring Youth Camp and the wakeboard program by choosing to set up a fund to help other youth attend wakeboarding camp.

During his words of hope and comfort, Chaplain Hudson remembered Bethany’s ever-present smile and her involvement in spiritual activities at GCA. He recalled Bethany coming to him at the end of last school year and sharing how she wanted God to lead in her life. “After that conversation, as she was walking away, I said to myself, ‘I can’t wait for her to be in my class. I’m looking forward to that.’”

Hudson encouraged the attendees that because Bethany had put her faith in Jesus, there is hope. He encouraged those gathered to fully give their lives to Christ as Bethany had.

“As we celebrate this abundant life that Bethany lived to the fullest, there is no better time to consider Jesus’ life and His death on our behalf,” said Hudson. “With Jesus we can rest in that hope that each one of us can be included in that great event, and one day, each one of us may witness that day together. One day, each one of us will be able to look out across that sea of glass that the Bible talks about in heaven and look for a wakeboarder in pink.”

The service closed with the singing of “The Blood,” which was a favorite hymn of Bethany’s, and a prayer by Georgia-Cumberland Conference President Ed Wright.

Following the funeral service, there was a short graveside service at Gateway Memory Park in Cleveland. Ga. Friends and family placed carnations on Bethany’s casket. According to her wishes, Bethany has a pink headstone.

Bethany’s family gave a short statement through Pastor Witt thanking family and friends for their “expressed words of encouragement and support.” They also thanked their Adventist Church family, the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, Georgia-Cumberland Academy, and Cohutta Springs Youth Camp, Bethany’s wakeboarding buddies, and the Little Davenport Funeral Home for the support each had given.

While Bethany Kacak has been laid to rest, it is obvious her memory will carry on and that she left a legacy of joy, passion, and commitment to Christ.