Loren Vance Busbee

Written and spoken by Sis. Larende Woods

If you were blessed to sit under the ministry of the late Bro. Stanley Dickson, you no doubt heard him preach messages about “the dash.” On every tombstone there is a dash between the date a person is born and the date a person dies. He preached sobering messages regarding this dash. Today, I am honored to give a shortened account of Bro. Loren Busbee’s dash. And what a faithful, solid and impactful dash it was!

Loren Vance Busbee was born June 4th, 1943, in Guthrie Oklahoma, to Ray and Thelma Busbee. Their home was blessed with five boys and two girls. The Busbee family had musical talent. They played instruments that they taught themselves. So, pickin’ and singin’ has always been a staple at a Busbee reunion.

When the family moved to a farm northeast of Guthrie, Bro. Loren attended Centerview, a small country school before going back to the town schools. He graduated from Guthrie High School in 1961, with honors. Following his high school graduation, he completed one year at OSU.

He was employed by the United States Postal Service, and retired in 2000. He became busier after retirement, pursuing many interests. Later, he returned to the post office, working part time at a contract station. His fellow worker on that job was James McDowel, who became a dear friend all these years.

At the young age of 15, Bro. Loren set his heart and eyes on his future bride. After what can only be described as an eventful dating relationship, some courting and even a foot pursuit around a dining room table, Bro. Loren finally captured the love of his life, Maxine Dean. They married on June 1, 1963; in the old Guthrie Church of God chapel. Lasting 57 years, what a beautiful, loving, godly union it was! One thing to be noted is that when the Lord called Sis. Maxine to the ministry in 1988, Bro. Loren fully consecrated to it as well. He was a constant support and a valuable contribution to the cause of Christ.

The Lord blessed their family with three daughters, Charissa, Jan, and Sarah, who were all daddy’s girls. Bro. Loren loved his girls and was always intentional with the time they spent together. It was said that one of the hardest things Bro. Loren did in his life was giving his daughters away in marriage. I can only assume the Lord was pleased with this girl-dad role, which Bro. Loren fit into so well. When the time came for grandchildren, he was blessed with 3 more girls! Pawpaw loved his girls! They share priceless memories of him genuinely enjoying the time he spent taking them to the park, the zoo, to get ice cream, turtle rides, and lots of reading (with much enthusiasm for each character’s voice). To quote Shannon, and the other girls agree, “Pawpaw” was magical!! Seeing that it was time for Bro. Loren to slide down Chik-fil-A slides with boys, the Lord made him a great-grandpa. Bro. Loren aka Bock-a-boo, aka PaPa was blessed with 3 great-grandsons. There was fishing, made-up songs, and dirt piles. He loved those boys!

I can’t speak of Bro. Loren’s dash and leave out the devastating and defining moment that drew him to the Lord. Before giving two daughters away in marriage, he’d tragically give one back to God. Bro. Loren was a broken man when his Jan was taken. Three days after she was gone from this world, Bro. Loren gave his heart and life to the Lord and never looked back. Sis. Maxine’s testimony is that from that day, until the day the Lord called him home, her Loren Vance never wavered. He was saved (sweetly saved) for 40 years. During the hardest times of their lives and ministry, he always fell to his knees in prayer. He never turned away from God, or the people of God. Sis. Maxine shared something that I know Bro. Loren would testify to today. The Lord has keeping grace, through “it” all. Just fall on your knees.

In the early morning hours of June 6, 2020, our dear Bro. Loren gained his reward. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jan, his son-in-law, Barry Herron, his parents, one sister and three brothers.

Those who are left behind, to cherish his memory are his wife(my pastor, sister and friend) Maxine Busbee, of the home in Edmond, OK; two daughters, Charissa Bennings, with her husband, Mark, of Prattsville, AR; Sarah Herron, of Shawnee, OK; three granddaughters, Ashley Pinson and Steven, of Shawnee, OK; Shannon Culp, with husband, Timothy, of Prattsville, AR; and Amanda Elston, with husband DaRyan, of Hammond, LA; three great grandsons, Levi and Rowan Pinson, and Luke Elston. Bro. Loren is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to those who will miss him, are the Saints of the Oklahoma City congregation, as well as many others among the Church of God. On behalf of the family, deep gratitude is expressed for all the love, prayers, support, cards, and food. It will not be forgotten.