Carl Maynard Sebris

Carl Maynard Sebris

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Age 61, of Port St. Lucie, FL, passed away on October 30, 2015. Follower-of-Christ, Husband, Father, "Bop," and Pastor-Carl M. Sebris passed peacefully into his Savior's arms on Friday morning, October 30, 2015.

He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on October 10, 1954 the youngest of three children to parents Ruth and Robert Sebris. Carl spent his childhood summers on the Great South Bay fishing on the family boat with his brother Bob and sister Evelyn. In 1972 he graduated from Pittsford High School in Rochester, New York.

After receiving an athletic scholarship, Carl attended Cornell University. He transferred to the University of South Carolina playing on the collegiate soccer team. Carl graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree in biology. Carl attended Clemson University receiving another bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. At Clemson, he met the two loves of his life.

In January of 1978, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior while kneeling bedside in his apartment. Carl would often describe that moment as him praying the first real prayer of his life the best he knew how.

In October of 1979, Carl met the other love of his life, his wife Patricia, on campus at Clemson. The two married on December 13, 1980, building their marriage around Jesus Christ with the verse 1 John 4:19- "We love because he first loved us." Over the years, Carl and Patricia had six children-Amie, Kristen, Katie, Caroline, Andrew and Janiece. Carl's joy sprung anew with the birth of each child. The family spent 24 years in Clemson, South Carolina. There Carl lead the international student outreach ministering to people from all over the world.

Later in life, Carl felt called to become a pastor. He received his Master's of Divinity in 2003.

In 2004, Carl moved his family to Fort Pierce, Florida to pastor Bible Baptist Church. Over his 11 year ministry, he endeavored to edify everyone he met, seeking to influence St. Lucie County the best he could.

In May 2011, Carl was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Throughout the whole of his treatment, he sought to be courageous for those he loved. Even while undergoing various treatments, Carl strove to encourage to those around him-both the patients and medical staff. After a brave five-year fight, God called Carl home. In October 2015, after turning 61 years old, Carl passed away surrounded by his family at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; six children: Amie, Kristen, Katie, Caroline, Andrew and Janiece; son-in-law, Will; two grandchildren, Liam and Elle; sister, Evelyn; brother-in-law, Paul; nephew, Kyle; niece, Trina; brother, Bob; sister-in-law, Lawson; and nephews, Matt and Bryan. His parents, Robert and Ruth Sebris, preceded him in death. Many friends and loved ones also survive him.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 3 at Haisley Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, Florida from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, November 4 at 11 a.m. A graveside service will follow.

Carl had a great burden for children suffering with cancer. www.haisleyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider donating to Cancer Stinks Children Foundation at P.O. Box 112 Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922 or www.cancer-stinks.com