She Was Just Deanne's Sister to People Around Here

Vonette Zachary Bright evoked admiration and respect in many circles the world over. Some people may have never had the privilege of meeting her. Hopefully, this short account will give a glimpse into the godly woman she was.

The Life-Long Impact of a One-Time Meeting

                I have played for countless weddings over the years. Rehearsals preceded most of those nuptials. Rehearsal dinners featured foods ranging from donuts with coffee, barbeque, a traditional Osage meal, heavy hors d’oeuvres, family-style Italian, to an assortment of other delicious food accompanied by uplifting conversation. One of these events inspired a remembrance.

                I don’t recall the specifics about the food, just that it was good. We dined at a sit-down meal in the basement of the Ralston Bible Church. Lots of laughter filled the evening the night before the marriage of Gaylynn Rice and Michael Treat on April 2, 1988.

                The one happening of the evening most memorable to me was the blessing by the bride’s aunt, Vonette Zachary Bright. I knew who she was – the co-founder of CRU (At its inception, it was called Campus Crusade for Christ.) with her husband, Bill. My involvement in CRU during my first year at Oklahoma State University provided the stability and support needed for me to successfully navigate my transition.
               My grandmother, Gladys Rainey Smith, admired Vonette Bright’s commitment to serve the Lord. She delighted in discussing Mrs. Bright and her husband’s work with her great-nephew, Bob Rice. Of course, Vonette Bright was Bob’s sister-in-law! Vonette and my grandma would want you to see this:
http://www.4laws.com/laws/englishkgp/default.htm

Zachary Family Photo from Deanne Rice's Collection. Seated: Roy and Mary
Margaret Zachary with their youngest daughter, Deanne. Standing: Glenn Zachary,
Curtis Zachary, and Vonette Zachary Bright.
Vonette was thirteen years old when I was born so you can imagine how thrilled
 she was to have another girl in the family as well as to have a baby sister to dress 
up and play with. Mother gave her a lot of responsibility with me so she was 
my 'second' mother.  I didn't know where one started and the other left off.
- a quote by Deanne Zachary Rice

                At the rehearsal dinner, prior to our meal, Vonette stood and spoke to Gaylynn and Mike about the principles  needed for them to have a successful marriage. Vonette presented, with skill and beauty, a concise message of the love of Jesus and how each of us could and should have meaningful lives as followers of Jesus. What a profound impression Vonette’s few sentences had on me! No other rehearsal dinner impacted my memory as that one in April of 1988.

Bob and Deanne Zachary Rice with Vonette and Bill Bright
- photograph from Deanne Zachary Rice's collection
Through out my whole life she has mentored me and has had a profound
influence on me. She was the perfect big sister. She always made a big deal
out of birthdays and family get togethers. Everyone always felt special and
deeply loved.  She carried that into her ministry with Cru. Staff members
were like her children and family.She knew them by name, prayed for them
individually, and helped them adjust to their calling in the ministry.
- a quote by Deanne Zachary Rice

                On January 8, 2016, Mother and I were able to view online the memorial service for Vonette Zachary Bright. Over a hundred people posted online the positive way she had influenced their lives. Beautiful music, powerful tributes, and encouraging scriptures seamlessly wove themselves into an uplifting worship experience.

                Kay Arthur used four points to honor Vonette Bright based on the life of the judge, Deborah, in the book of Judges from the Bible. She drew the comparison between Deborah and Vonette with these:

1.       They both listened to God. (Am I daily reading God’s word so I too can listen to Him?)

2.       They both enlisted others. (Do I seek to find as many others as possible to work with to accomplish God’s work?)

3.       Neither Vonette or Deborah cared who got the glory for their work. (Oh how I want to be exactly like them!)

4.       Both women experienced and handled grief. (I want to be like them, experiencing a loss, grieving the loss, but finding purpose in the grief.)

Deanne Zachary Rice, the only sister of Vonette Bright, has encouraged me as she serves at funeral dinners and opens her home to host women’s Bible studies. Deanne’s commitment to support selflessly her husband, children and grandchildren enriches their lives and undergirds them as they seek to impact all they meet.

Deanne and I laughed about how this photograph from the early 1940s
indicated the humble beginnings of Vonette in Coweta, Oklahoma. 
Only God knew she would minister and touch lives all over the world.
She is second from the right on the upper row. Deanne is the first VBS
student in the front row. (Photo from Deanne Zachary Rice's collection)
She served a big God and she trusted Him for big things, therefore
she encouraged people to go beyond their own limits to God's limits
and she would always be there to get you started. She was a "Why
Can't We?" type of person. - a quote by Deanne Zachary Rice

To learn more about Vonette Zachary Bright go to:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/about/vonette-bright.html