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The first time I met Zalene was at the wedding of my son Randal to her daughter Becky. I was impressed by her size (TINY) and the authority, grace,
and speed with which she got things done. I commented later that she reminded me of a tiny beautiful hummingbird. The only difference is that a
hummingbird flits around taking sweetness from the flowers and Zalene was flitting around giving sweetness to whomever and whatever was in need.
Our families enjoyed meals, games, and birthday parties together. In my memory, she was always the beautiful hummingbird flitting around taking
care of things. I hope that I can be remembered as the kind of caregiver that she was.
Rosemary Cole
Blacksburg, Virginia
and speed with which she got things done. I commented later that she reminded me of a tiny beautiful hummingbird. The only difference is that a
hummingbird flits around taking sweetness from the flowers and Zalene was flitting around giving sweetness to whomever and whatever was in need.
Our families enjoyed meals, games, and birthday parties together. In my memory, she was always the beautiful hummingbird flitting around taking
care of things. I hope that I can be remembered as the kind of caregiver that she was.
Rosemary Cole
Blacksburg, Virginia
I would like to say that Mrs. Breeden, as I called her, had the sweetest smile of any person I know. Her whole face smiled! She was a wiry, spunky lady
who knew how to laugh and have fun. We were in the same state association - they in Maryland and we in Delaware. We saw them at quarterly and
state meetings and it was always a pleasure to see them. Mrs. Breeden was gracious, loving, and very welcoming. She had a big heart and reached
out to touch many because of that. Her love for God and others was a symbol of who she was. Please accept my (and my husband's) sympathy to the
whole family.
Sandy and Richard Atwood
Antioch, Tennessee
who knew how to laugh and have fun. We were in the same state association - they in Maryland and we in Delaware. We saw them at quarterly and
state meetings and it was always a pleasure to see them. Mrs. Breeden was gracious, loving, and very welcoming. She had a big heart and reached
out to touch many because of that. Her love for God and others was a symbol of who she was. Please accept my (and my husband's) sympathy to the
whole family.
Sandy and Richard Atwood
Antioch, Tennessee
Some of my best memories as a child came from our visits to Virginia to be with the Breeden clan or having them visit us in Tampa. Mama was so
fond of Aunt Zalene, and loved her as a sister. The one memory of Aunt Zalene that sticks with me most was the love she generated ... she was radiant
with love. I also remember Zalene's intense energy. Bees don't have that kind of energy. Most of us will take an escalator to heaven. Aunt Zalene most
definately took a jet plane. God rest your soul, Aunt Zalene.
Anne Tompkins McGarry (Niece)
Chardon, Ohio
fond of Aunt Zalene, and loved her as a sister. The one memory of Aunt Zalene that sticks with me most was the love she generated ... she was radiant
with love. I also remember Zalene's intense energy. Bees don't have that kind of energy. Most of us will take an escalator to heaven. Aunt Zalene most
definately took a jet plane. God rest your soul, Aunt Zalene.
Anne Tompkins McGarry (Niece)
Chardon, Ohio
I came to know Sis. Zalene when she & Rev. Breeden came to pastor my church, Chestnut Hill FWB in Big Island, Virginia. She always went in a run.
A very busy little lady. A true homemaker in every sense of the word. I was just sharing with her at our visit this past Saturday, December 11, about
that great chocolate cake she always made from scratch. It seemed she knew what I was talking about and even tried to get up as if to say...I'm going
to make chocolate cake. Sis. Zalene had taught us the song, "And He Cares About You" when she led the choir at our church. This song has been
laid on my heart at various times when visiting people in the hospital or at home. In fact, I sang the song to her this past week at our visit. She has
certainly fought the good fight of faith in standing behind Rev. Breeden in his work as a minister of the gospel. She has now finished her course, her
labors are now ended and she can enjoy eternal bliss with her Savior whom she loved and served so faithfully. To be absent from the body is to be
present with the Lord. With loving sympathy,
Brenda Burks
Big Island, Virginia
A very busy little lady. A true homemaker in every sense of the word. I was just sharing with her at our visit this past Saturday, December 11, about
that great chocolate cake she always made from scratch. It seemed she knew what I was talking about and even tried to get up as if to say...I'm going
to make chocolate cake. Sis. Zalene had taught us the song, "And He Cares About You" when she led the choir at our church. This song has been
laid on my heart at various times when visiting people in the hospital or at home. In fact, I sang the song to her this past week at our visit. She has
certainly fought the good fight of faith in standing behind Rev. Breeden in his work as a minister of the gospel. She has now finished her course, her
labors are now ended and she can enjoy eternal bliss with her Savior whom she loved and served so faithfully. To be absent from the body is to be
present with the Lord. With loving sympathy,
Brenda Burks
Big Island, Virginia
Brother Bob and Zalene Breeden were our pastor at the Richland FWB Church in Nashville, TN back in the 80's. Sister Zalene was truly a pastor's wife
and she taught me many lessons by always having her home open to their congregation. She made me tired by just watching her work. I have many
fond memories of Sister Zalene and my condolences go to Brother Bob and the children. Their loss is Heaven's gain!
Gladys Gragg
Nashville, Tennessee
and she taught me many lessons by always having her home open to their congregation. She made me tired by just watching her work. I have many
fond memories of Sister Zalene and my condolences go to Brother Bob and the children. Their loss is Heaven's gain!
Gladys Gragg
Nashville, Tennessee
My husband, Bill and I have considered ourselves especially blessed to have had the opportunity to know and enjoy Aunt Zalene in her last three
years. Although she had lost much of her ability to communicate verbally by the time we came to know her, she communicated very clearly with her
eyes, smile and occasionally, through a surprising verbal exclamation. I remain convinced that her mind was very sharp, as she made eye contact
with me often, sharing amusement, sympathy, affection, an the joy of living. Zalene had a particular affection for my husband, Bill, and always
expressed a marked preference for his company to the observation of the rest of our weekly Bible study group. She ministered to both of us as young
Christians with her agape love. She always told us "I love you" very clearly even though other attempts to express herself were often unintelligible.
Zalene managed to say what was most important in a life filled with love for others. We rejoice in the assurance that we will be together again soon
while we grieve her temporary absence.
Bill and Susan Coleman
Brother and Sister in Christ
Lynchburg, Virginia
years. Although she had lost much of her ability to communicate verbally by the time we came to know her, she communicated very clearly with her
eyes, smile and occasionally, through a surprising verbal exclamation. I remain convinced that her mind was very sharp, as she made eye contact
with me often, sharing amusement, sympathy, affection, an the joy of living. Zalene had a particular affection for my husband, Bill, and always
expressed a marked preference for his company to the observation of the rest of our weekly Bible study group. She ministered to both of us as young
Christians with her agape love. She always told us "I love you" very clearly even though other attempts to express herself were often unintelligible.
Zalene managed to say what was most important in a life filled with love for others. We rejoice in the assurance that we will be together again soon
while we grieve her temporary absence.
Bill and Susan Coleman
Brother and Sister in Christ
Lynchburg, Virginia
My wife Karen and I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Mr. and Mrs. Breeden while we were houseparents at FWB Children's Home in
Greeneville, TN around 1981. Bro. Breeden was pastor of Woolsey Memorial FWB Church there at the time. The old adage "dynamite comes in
small packages" must have been coined to describe Mrs. Breeden. Her pace, her energy was always challenging, and amusing. But it was her zeal
and her love that bring tears to my eyes as I remember her. Being "on fire" doesn't do her justice when describing her devotion to God and his call
on her life. Her example and her memory have, and will always be a cherished part of the path that God has led me and my wife on.
Kevin Walker
Paint Rock, Alabama
Greeneville, TN around 1981. Bro. Breeden was pastor of Woolsey Memorial FWB Church there at the time. The old adage "dynamite comes in
small packages" must have been coined to describe Mrs. Breeden. Her pace, her energy was always challenging, and amusing. But it was her zeal
and her love that bring tears to my eyes as I remember her. Being "on fire" doesn't do her justice when describing her devotion to God and his call
on her life. Her example and her memory have, and will always be a cherished part of the path that God has led me and my wife on.
Kevin Walker
Paint Rock, Alabama
This Lady was something else.... She always had a smile and never a bad word... She was the biggest "little" LADY. She loved her husband, children
and grandchildren. I remember her carrying Dane into the bank in Lynchburg and he was as big as she was... What a woman...
She will be missed by all. Love,
Sandy Gelletly
(Long time friend of Becky and the family)
Palmyra, Virginia
and grandchildren. I remember her carrying Dane into the bank in Lynchburg and he was as big as she was... What a woman...
She will be missed by all. Love,
Sandy Gelletly
(Long time friend of Becky and the family)
Palmyra, Virginia
I remember the first time I met Zalene. I was traveling with her son Frank in a musical group when we visited their church in Maryland where Bob
pastored. We arrived a little later than planned, not knowing Zalene had prepared a feast for us all. She came bursting out of the door, ready to give
Frank a whippin' for being late to dinner. She didn't care that he was 6' 3" and 30 years old. Mama had dinner on the table and "Frankie" was late.
WOW! What passion and zeal this dear lady had. And God knew that all along. That's why He asked her to do so much for the Kingdom... and she did.
Scott Bullman
Lynchburg, VA
pastored. We arrived a little later than planned, not knowing Zalene had prepared a feast for us all. She came bursting out of the door, ready to give
Frank a whippin' for being late to dinner. She didn't care that he was 6' 3" and 30 years old. Mama had dinner on the table and "Frankie" was late.
WOW! What passion and zeal this dear lady had. And God knew that all along. That's why He asked her to do so much for the Kingdom... and she did.
Scott Bullman
Lynchburg, VA
It takes a special person to leave the safety and security of their homeland, learn a different language, and reach people of a different culture.
Zalene did that when she went to India from 1948-53. We at Free Will Baptist International Missions thank her for her willingness to answer the call of
God when He said, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us." Zalene Lloyd said, "Here am I, send me." We thank her for her commitment and we
honor her memory.
James Forlines, General Director
Free Will Baptist International Missions
Antioch, Tennessee
Zalene did that when she went to India from 1948-53. We at Free Will Baptist International Missions thank her for her willingness to answer the call of
God when He said, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us." Zalene Lloyd said, "Here am I, send me." We thank her for her commitment and we
honor her memory.
James Forlines, General Director
Free Will Baptist International Missions
Antioch, Tennessee
"Oh how cruelly sweet and the echoes that start when memory plays an old tune on the harp."
Zalene Breeden's homegoing twanged the strings of a hundred memories of events we shared. Some make me laugh, some make me cry, but if I
could experience them all again, I would leave nothing out; our first ocean voyage (a month), our orientation to India via Sri Lanka, train trips, bus
trips, trips by rickshaw, by tonga, hitch hiking on the Grand Trunk Highway, river crossings by ferry, getting almost dumped into the Mohananda,
primitive housekeeping and amateur mountain climbing. Now she is gone and so is Dan and I am left to weep alone. Somehow, I seem to hear them
laughing as they relive our beautiful memories and maybe they just mention Trula from time to time.
Trula Cronk, Fellow Missionary, with her husband, Dan, to India with Zalene
Nashville, Tennessee
Zalene Breeden's homegoing twanged the strings of a hundred memories of events we shared. Some make me laugh, some make me cry, but if I
could experience them all again, I would leave nothing out; our first ocean voyage (a month), our orientation to India via Sri Lanka, train trips, bus
trips, trips by rickshaw, by tonga, hitch hiking on the Grand Trunk Highway, river crossings by ferry, getting almost dumped into the Mohananda,
primitive housekeeping and amateur mountain climbing. Now she is gone and so is Dan and I am left to weep alone. Somehow, I seem to hear them
laughing as they relive our beautiful memories and maybe they just mention Trula from time to time.
Trula Cronk, Fellow Missionary, with her husband, Dan, to India with Zalene
Nashville, Tennessee
Mrs. Breeden was my Pastor's wife when my husband and I were houseparents at the FWB Children's Home in Greeneville, TN. We also helped them
move to Wisconsin after their appointment as home missionaries there. Although I have great memories of her, my favorite is her saying "He's Still on
the Throne". When problems or discouragement come, I think about that saying which reminds me of her, but of the God that reassured her (and me)
of His presence and His power. What an amazing thought that she is in heaven, near that throne!
Karen Walker
Paint Rock, Alabama
move to Wisconsin after their appointment as home missionaries there. Although I have great memories of her, my favorite is her saying "He's Still on
the Throne". When problems or discouragement come, I think about that saying which reminds me of her, but of the God that reassured her (and me)
of His presence and His power. What an amazing thought that she is in heaven, near that throne!
Karen Walker
Paint Rock, Alabama
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