Obituaries
Harold attended Central College in McPherson, Kansas where he met his bride, Bonnie Bishop. They were married on September 3, 1954, after Harold returned from his military service in Korea. Harold completed his undergraduate degree at Seattle Pacific University and then attended Asbury Theological Seminary for completion of his master’s degree of divinity. Harold and Bonnie’s daughter, Cheryl, was born during Harold’s seminary training.
During Harold’s years of ministry, he pastored at the Free Methodist Church in Caldwell, Kansas for five years. It was there Harold and Bonnie welcomed their second daughter, Carol. Harold remained with the Free Methodist denomination and pastored the Topeka, KS church for six years and then the Lawrence, KS church for 22 years before moving to Midwest City, OK for five years. Upon retirement, Harold became a chaplain at an Oklahoma City hospital for an additional 22 years.
Harold and Bonnie moved up to the Kansas City area to be closer to family in the later years of his life. Harold’s love for God, for his wife Bonnie, and the rest of the family was evident in how he spoke and cared for his family. Harold’s life was profoundly changed when he embraced God’s Word and memorized the Bible during his adult years. Harold lived a selfless life of love and service to the church and his family.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Surviving family: Bonnie Bishop, wife of 70 years; Clarence Bishop (Helen), brother; Cheryl Mahoney (Tom), daughter; Carol Rauckman (Kevin), daughter; Sarah Burns (Justin), granddaughter; Rebekah Foye (Taylor), granddaughter; Kathryn Bottelsen (Jared), granddaughter; Grant Rauckman (Katelyn), grandson; Hannah Prichard (Jason), granddaughter; great grandchildren: Robin, Shepherd, Myles, Jesse, Josiah, Alex, Sammy, Eden and Margo.
Rev. Dr. Gregory Wyman Clements, M.Div. ’82, aged 77, of Anderson, SC passed away Friday, November 15, 2024.
Greg was born in Milton, FL on December 14, 1946. He was the son of Lamar Clements, Sr. and Addie Lee Williams.
He was a graduate of Milton High School (1964), the University of West Florida (1970), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1974), and Asbury Theological Seminary (1982).
He pastored several congregations, including Mt Pleasant Baptist, Milton, FL; Fort Gaines Baptist Church, Fort Gaines, GA; Sardis Baptist Church, Sardis, GA; Grace Baptist Church, Heidelberg, Germany; and First Baptist Church, Hampton, SC. Greg was a dedicated and loving minister to all who knew him. In retirement, Greg and Carol were members of Boulevard Baptist Church, Anderson, SC.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 59 years, Carol Berrian Clements, three children, Brian (Karen), Michelle Bedenbaugh (Kenneth), and DeAnna Parrett; seven grandchildren, Forrest Clements (Alyssa), Molly Bedenbaugh Baker ( Michael), Savannah Clements (Max Burger), Chandler Bates Lankford (CJ), Emily Bedenbaugh, Joey Bates (Josey), Ally Bedenbaugh; and five great-grandchildren; siblings, Lamar Clements, Hayward Clements (Kathy Mason), Shannon Paul (Jim), and Holly Holderby.
Elden was born April 21, 1944, to Elmer and Elizabeth (Graves) Lee in Mason, MI. He graduated Spring Arbor University in 1966 with his bachelor’s degree and went on to Asbury Theological Seminary and graduated in 1969 with his Master of Divinity. He married Linda L. Scherling on August 19, 1967, in Bemidji, Minnesota. Elden retired in July 2010 after 41 years of active ministry with the East Michigan Conference of the Free Methodist (FM) Church. During that time, he pastored at Pontiac First FM (Assistant, 1969-1970), Shields FM (1970-1974), Williamston FM (1974-1979), West Branch Ogemaw Hills FM (1979-1987), Sandusky Countryside FM (1987-1993), Brighton Green Oak FM (1993-2001), Port Huron FM (2001-2009), and Bluewater FM (Co-Lead, 2009-2010).
Elden was a member of Hope Church in Coldwater. He was also a former board member for Jacob’s Well. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being in nature, hunting, fishing, camping. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Elden is survived by his wife, Linda Lee of Jackson; his children Loretta (Kirsen) Quan of Northville, MI, Nathan (Melissa) Lee of Coldwater; his sister Violet McAboy; his grandchildren Brennan, Levi, and Aaron Quan and Micah, Isaac, Caleb, Bethany, and Anaiah Lee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elizabeth Lee.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Elaine Reid, of Bardstown; his children, Garrett (Peggy) Reid, Stacey Donahue, Frederick (Alexis) Landram, all of Pittsburgh, and Scott (Missy) Landram, of Bardstown; a quiver full of treasured grandchildren; and one sister, Nancy Zorich, of Pittsburgh.
Sharon’s story of love and faith began early. In second grade at West Elementary in Midland, Texas, she met Gary Samford, who would become her soulmate. Their love blossomed during her sophomore year at Midland High School, and after graduation, Sharon attended Texas Tech University, where she joined Tri Delta sorority. She later began her professional career as an executive secretary at Permian Corporation before marrying Gary on December 19, 1959-a union that would last a remarkable 65 years.
As the heart of her family, Sharon created a warm and loving home across Texas, Missouri, Arizona, and California. She devoted herself to raising her two children, Craig (59) and Alison (54), to be compassionate and independent individuals.
Sharon’s faith was a guiding light throughout her life. While living in Alta Loma, California, she found purpose in women’s prison ministry through Bible Study Fellowship, serving incarcerated women in Norco, California. Upon returning to Texas, she became an active member of The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, serving on the Session and leading Bible studies.
Her spiritual journey deepened in Liberty Hill, Texas, where she played an instrumental role as a charter member of San Gabriel Presbyterian Church, serving on its steering committee and Session. At the age of 64, Sharon answered “the calling” and attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, in 2003. She was later commissioned as a Lay Pastor by the Presbytery, fulfilling her passion to minister. Sharon’s most rewarding work was as the pastor of Faith-Fe Presbyterian Church in Lockhart, Texas, where she shared her compassion, wisdom and love with her congregation.
Sharon is survived by her devoted husband Gary; her children, Craig & Leesa Samford of Petaluma, California, and Alison & Randy Ramos of Conroe, Texas; and her beloved grandchildren, Josh Ramos of Austin, Texas, and Ryan and Kathryn Samford of Petaluma, California. She is also lovingly remembered by her extended family, including nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Theron (Ted) Homer Smith, Jr, aged 96, passed into glory early morning of December 12, 2024. The third of three sons, he was born on September 28, 1928 in Gowanda, New York to T. Homer and Edith Mackey Smith. Both Homer and Edith spent their lives in active ministry: she as a traveling song evangelist and he as a Methodist pastor in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Florida. The family moved often, as was the Methodist Church practice at that time, but was always faithful to attend Hollow Rock Holiness Campmeeting each summer, which Theron called his true home. Along with his brothers, Theron was an excellent student with exceptional athletic skill as well as a gifted member of several men’s quartets throughout his high school, college and graduate school years. He graduated from Lisbon High School in Lisbon, Ohio followed by Asbury (then College) University, Asbury Theological Seminary and Oberlin University Graduate School of Theology/Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
He met Betty Jean Durham in 1950 and they married when she graduated from Asbury College in 1952. The couple began their married life in Wharton, Ohio where Theron had been appointed pastor to Wharton Methodist Church. During their following appointment to the Methodist Church in West Union, Ohio, Theron made a three-month quartet missionary trip to The Philippines, Taiwan, Okinawa and Japan and eventually joined Orient Crusades where he and Betty served as missionaries for 2 years, moving their young family to The Philippines. He traveled throughout southeast Asia playing basketball and preaching the Gospel and singing with the quartet of team players at half-time of those games. This missionary quartet was also invited to meet with Madame Chiang Kai-shek on three separate occasions and twice with General Chiang himself to share the message and sing for the prayer group of government leaders’ wives the General had created, as well as a Sunday morning worship service. Returning to Ohio, he and Betty served additional Methodist Church appointments to Linworth, Troy, Forest Park (Cincinnati), Walnut Creek, Livingston (Columbus), and Westerville. Theron also served 8 years on the faculty of Ashland Theological Seminary by special appointment from the UMC Bishop to create and implement the Methodist studies program there, including managing the extension programs at Cleveland State University and Wayne State University in Detroit. While at Livingston Church, he was approached by a US Congressman and a successful local businessman to lead a small group of professional men in a meaningful bi-weekly Bible study that continues to this day with profound impact. Theron retired from the United Methodist Church in 1997 and joined the staff at Cypress Wesleyan Church to lead the seniors’ ministry as well as Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer meetings. During this time, he was invited to join the board of International Leadership Group developing and implementing Christian studies classes at the University of Beijing, traveling to campus in China semi-annually for three years.
Theron is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty: daughter Jocelyn (George) Gibbs, and sons, Kevin (Kimbalyn) Smith and Matthew Todd (Patricia) Smith; his grandchildren Sarah Ashley (Les) Cheung, Jordan Rachel (Jerram) John, Abigail Elizabeth (Jordan) Poppe, Mollie Grace (Adam) Vigeant and Stella Gabrielle Smith; and his great-grandchildren Finley Therese Cheung, Theron Reid Poppe, Silas Paul Cheung, Sadie Jean Poppe, Lev Michael Vigeant and Magnalia Grace Vigeant; bothers Mark Lynn Smith and Myron Ray Smith.
Judy L. Tillmann, aged 78, of The Villages went home forever to be in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 9, 2024.
She is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Bill. She is also survived by daughters Amy, and husband John, Barbara, and husband Jaime, and one son, John, and wife Jessica. Judy also has six grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, all of whom brought her immense joy.
Praying for the families of each person, that God will comfort and grace them with peace during their time of mourning and grief in Jesus’ name.