Lori Williams Montgomery

Lori graduated from Huntington College. She lived a life filled with compassion, talent, and a deep connection to nature. She had a great love for animals, flowers, and farming. Lori's nurturing spirit extended beyond her family, reaching the multitude of animals fortunate enough to call her farm home.

Talented in various crafts, Lori's hands brought to life beautiful creations through sewing and ceramics. Her artistic abilities have created a legacy of cherished handmade treasures.

Lori's faith was a guiding light in her life, leading her to embark on numerous mission trips around the world. Her selflessness and commitment to others always came first, touching the lives of many in profound ways.

A beloved wife of 39 years, Lori is survived by her devoted husband, Steve Montgomery, and their three children: Marc Montgomery (Gavin Nutt), Hunter Montgomery (Lauren Hughes), and Austie Montgomery. Her grandson, Jenson Nutt, held a special place in her heart and she cherished her role as his “Mumsy”.

Lori is also remembered by her siblings, Debbie, Pam, and Michael, who shared in the joys and challenges of life alongside their sister.

A funeral service to celebrate Lori's life will be held on January 6, 2024, at noon at the North Atlanta Church of Christ, 5676 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Friends are invited to pay their respects and offer condolences to the family one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to an animal charity local to you, honoring Lori's passion for caring for animals large and small.

Lori Williams Montgomery's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. May she rest in eternal peace.

Written by Steve Montgomery, delivered Austie Montgomery on January 6, 2024 at the time of service.

Thank you for coming to this service and celebration of Lori’s life. It is so nice to see so many people. Thank you, everyone.

Thank you to my children–Marc, Hunter, and Austie, their spouses Gavin and Lauren, and my grandson, Jenson. They spent many hours helping with the funeral tasks and their loving support over the past week has channeled their mother’s spirit.

This crowd shows the love and influence that Lori had on so many people. We could not reach everyone Lori touched, though social media certainly helped. There are still many people we wish were with us today.

I wanted to do this myself, but every time I thought of things to write or say, I could not go on. My heart is broken. I have never had anything hurt so much before. My wonderful, beautiful sweetheart went on to heaven, peacefully in her sleep. I thought I was strong, but I am not. I thought my faith was strong, but this loss has tested me. I struggle with large groups, and public speaking is daunting.

Thirty years ago, Don asked me to say the prayer in front of the congregation one Sunday morning, right on this very stage. I was terrified. But a buddy of mine said, “No sweat! Just picture everyone in their underwear. Works every time!”

I can assure you. I promise. I did not do that then, and I would not do it now.

So I wrote out the prayer, and led the congregation that Sunday. I still have that prayer, and I have asked Hunter to read the prayer from 30 years ago at the end of this speech.

Lori loved animals and nature, especially sunsets, which led us to purchasing a farm in North Carolina. Lori moved there about five years ago, and I continued my landscaping business here in Atlanta with the thought of moving up there eventually. I would go up on weekends and do as much as possible.

Lori built a rich life on that farm in North Carolina. From an orchard of fruit trees to Fat Raccoon art gallery to cottage interior design to a barn full of goats, chickens, and a pig. The animals took center stage, and boy are they a lot of work!

Lori would name the animals immediately because she did not want me to eat them. You can’t eat them if you name them because you can’t eat pets!

So I said, “Ok, let me name some.”

I came up with three names to start: Hammy-Burger, Steak, and Fry-Fry. Needless to say, that did not go over very well.

Lori named them all. Thirty-six goats, fifty chickens, and our beautiful, huge pig, Ezra. I could not keep track of them all.

She also had three cats and two dogs, and yes, they most certainly have names!

The main trait I want to highlight about Lori today is her faith. She had the faith of a mustard seed and then some.

"For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20-21).

Lori had an influence on hundreds if not thousands of people in her lifetime. She embarked on mission trips all over the world - Ukraine, Mexico, and many more. One of her favorite destinations, where she went many times, was Sarnia, in Canada, where she really connected with the people there.

As you all know, she forged relationships with everyone. The feedback we have received over the past week from friends and family demonstrates the many bonds you had with her sweet and powerful soul. Thousands of people impacted by one soul is phenomenal.

Lori had a way of being sweet but direct. She did not back down from letting you know what she thought, but always with love and concern. She was stubborn, but selfless. So often she put others before herself.

Was she perfect? No.

But was she good? Yes

Was she great? Yes, in many, many ways.

A hero? Yes, to many people. She was to me.

We made Roswell our home. It is her home. This church is her home. The wonderful church and community.

She loved the mountains and the farm in North Carolina, and the people she met there have been so supportive. But Roswell has always been home for our family, and the kids and I decided that this is where her final resting place would be.

We are so thankful that we were able to have a final Christmas together at the farm in North Carolina. We will treasure our memories of dinner and brunch together, Christmas movies on the couch, opening gifts, and a late night game of dominoes that Lori won. We had a Christmas full of love, hugs, and kisses. The last time together as a family was good.

Lori was my sweetheart at 17 and my sweetheart at 60. The absolute love of my life. What a kind and endearing soul. So beautiful inside and out.

Thank you for being here to celebrate her wonderful life.

In conclusion, Lori would want me to ask you, “Where is your faith?” We are eternal beings and that is a fact. Don’t finish this life without exploring what that means and what is on the other side of this life. Lori wants to see you there.

Also, don’t wait. Do it now. Make peace, ask for forgiveness, forgive, love one another, tell them you love them, reconcile, show love. These are the things she would do and did herself. She would want you to do the same.

The last photo Lori took on her phone was a beautiful, blazing sunset shortly before she passed and it was looking towards heaven.

I have looked back over these last few days and can clearly see things that happened to prepare us all for this. I am not sure why or what God has in mind for her, but he wanted her at this time. I am sure his intentions for her are wonderful and perfectly suited to her strengths. God has a plan for all of us.

My angel, however long I have left on this Earth, I can’t wait to see you again. The love of my life awaits me in Heaven, where we will spend Eternity together. I hope you will all join us there. Thank you.

Written by Steve Montgomery and delivered by Hunter Montgomery on January 6, 2024 at the time of service.

I’m going to share the prayer from 30 years ago my dad referenced in the speech my sister just read. Before we get to that, he wanted to share his thoughts on prayer.

Because we are so busy with our daily lives, we sometimes lose the perspective of what praying really is and the power it has.

To put things in perspective, I think about the times I fly on an airplane. First, you board an extremely large craft that holds 300 people or so.

Then on take off, you look out the window and as you go up, the people start getting little and then the cars and you see the highways and the buildings getting smaller and smaller until the whole city is just a tiny area below.

Then I realize this massive city with millions of people is but a spot on this huge earth and the earth is but a small planet in a giant solar system. And the solar system is in an almost infinite galaxy, which is but one of millions within the universe.

As I think about this, I start feeling very insignificant. But then I realize that our God knows each and every one of us. Pretty incredible!

And by the way, this massive universe that is totally beyond our comprehension. God created it!

Prayer is our connection, our link to the supreme being; it allows us to talk to God. What an incredible privilege to be able to communicate with him. I hope this helps with some understanding of how amazing our God is.

Let us go to him now in prayer:

Our God, our amazing father. How can we put into words what we can’t really comprehend? Thank you for allowing us this privilege of prayer. A way for us to speak to you and for you to hear us.

Help us to build our faith by seeking understanding of your world and as we gain more understanding, help us to be constantly mindful and in awe of your power.

And though it seems that we are so insignificant in the grand scheme, we know that we are not. In fact, we are the most significant. There is no measure to your love for us and that amazes us father.

We praise you, we worship you. We come before you now to thank you for all the blessings you have given us. Help us to never lose sight of that.

We ask that you continue to bless this church, its leaders, its members, and its guests.

And though we don’t deserve it because of our sin, we thank you for the blessing of love, peace, wisdom, truth, faith, righteousness, and of grace.

We ask that as your servants these blessings pass through us and touch everyone we come in contact with. That they get a glimpse of you in us. That they feel something they’ve never felt before, and it makes them want to know more.

Although our understanding of you is limited, we do know that you love us. And through that love we have faith in you, a faith that builds trust and a trust that carries us.

We also know that all these wonderful things are possible through grace. Grace given to us by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is through him that we are cleansed from our sins. It is through the blood of Christ that anoints us children of God.

Thank you father for Jesus Christ. Please be with those who may not know him yet. Help us to help them find the joy and peace that comes with knowing Jesus. And it's in his name that we pray, Amen.

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