Lena Jean Ballenger Bishop

Published 9:10 am Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Lena Jean Ballenger Bishop, 90 of Cumberland, stepped into the presence of the Lord on Oct. 9. Jean was born in West Palm Beach, Florida to her parents, the late Lewis Sr. and Myrtle Ballenger, on April 29, 1934.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Edwin Bishop, whom she was married to for 68 years and was the love of her life and she was the excellent wife described in Proverbs 12:4 and was the crown of her husband. She was preceded in death by a younger brother and his wife, Jim and Brenda Ballenger of Florida.

Lena Jean Bishop is survived by one brother, Lewis Ballenger and his wife, Carolyn, of South Carolina and two sisters, Kathleen Edwards and her late husband, Lindsay, of Florida, and Virginia Clayton and her husband, Charles, of South Carolina. She is also survived by her four sons, Donald Daryl Bishop and his wife, Cheri, of Powhatan, Thomas Alan Bishop and his wife, Dianne, of Cumberland, Joel Duane Bishop and his wife, Barbara, of Cumberland, and Christopher Edwin Bishop and his wife, Linda, of Cumberland. There are nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Lena Jean was a faithful member of Tar Wallet Baptist Church, where she taught Bible School and had a great spiritual impact on all she met. She had many interests in her life, such as caring for and loving her family, planting and growing vegetables and flowers in her many greenhouses and enjoying the company of everyone that stopped by to talk. Her love for others truly was what Jesus taught about in Matthew 25:35-40. Even a stray dog or cat needed a meal and bath before being reconnected or often adopted. Also, if you were blessed to sit at her table it was likely the best meal you have ever eaten. She was a great mom whose family was truly blessed by God to have her care and devotion her entire life. Her brother Lewis wrote a book about them growing up in Inman South Carolina, independently published on Amazon/Kindle ISBN: 9798716965430.

You will be truly missed until we meet again.

A funeral service was held Sunday, Oct. 13, 3 p.m, at Tar Wallet Baptist Church. Her family received friends at 2 – 3 p.m. at the church. Interment immediately followed the service in the church cemetery.

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www. puckettfh.com.