Presiding Bishop Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr. sent the following news announcement concerning the death of his mother-in-law on Sunday, December 19, 2010:
Nan’s mother, Mrs. Bessie Hale Reece, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, December 19, 2010, about 5:30 a. m. She was 91 years old, and served the Lord basically all of her life. She was ready to go and had been praying to go home throughout this entire time since her recent surgery.
She had been in a nursing home for the last five years. We visited with her on Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving. That night about 2 a. m. she fell and broke her hip, elbow, and several fingers. She had surgery the next day, but never really got over the fall and the after-effects of it.
Her situation had been deteriorating ever since. They put her in hospice care earlier this week. Nan flew back thirteen days ago, and has been by her side night and day ever since that time. I flew back last night and was thankful that the Lord spared my mother-in-law until I could be here with Nan.
Many of you have e-mailed and some have called over the last couple of weeks assuring Nan and me of your love and prayers. We want to express our heart-felt gratitude for all of your encouraging words and your acts of kindness. Ron Jr. and I will be doing the memorial service. Please pray for the family as we walk through the next few days of adjustment and transition.
[Editor's Note: All of us who are members of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church extend our love and sincere condolences to Bishop Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr. and his wife, Nan, upon the loss of Nan's dear mother.
I believe that Pastor John Hedgepeth said it best when he wrote a few weeks ago about the death of Bishop Leon O. Stewart's mother: "Fay and I send to you our deepest sympathies upon the death of your mother. Although we suffer many losses during our lifetime, none could ever equal the loss of "Mother."
John Hedgepeth is right. We agree with him. I know it is true. I have lost my dear mother.
May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge that a loving and caring people of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and other denominations all across this nation and around the world love and are praying for you in this time of your grief.
You may write Bishop and Mrs. Carpenter, Sr:
Bishop and Mrs. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr.
P. O. Box 12609
Oklahoma City, OK 73157
Posted on
Sun, December 19, 2010
by Hugh Morgan