Prudence G Bedell

On Sunday, February 7, Prudence Grace Fleming Bedell breathed her last breath on earth and her first breath in Heaven with her Redeemer. She has been reunited with her husband, Clifford H. Bedell, who had passed away 5 years ago.

Prue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent much of her time studying God’s Word, praying for others, and looking for ways to serve the Lord. She loved her family well. Her physical heart was wearing out but her spiritual heart was ever growing.

Surviving Prue are her children and their spouses: Cheri and Jim Peters, Susan and Billy Loflin, Frank and Marti Bedell, Janet and Mark Ballew, and John and Norma Bedell. She dearly loved her 17 grandchildren and her 12 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving Prue are her siblings: James and Pat Fleming and Priscilla Joiner. In addition she was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Prue was born on February 12, 1929, and was looking forward to celebrating her 92nd birthday on Friday. She grew up in Gary, IN, and attended Providence Bible Institute, where she met her husband, Cliff. They married on August 24, 1951, and began their family while serving the Lord as missionaries in the Philippines with SEND International (formerly Far Eastern Gospel Crusade). Prue displayed a true pioneering spirit while serving with Cliff, raising their children, teaching Daily Vacation Bible School and preparing delicious Filipino meals that continued to be central to their Christmas traditions after leaving the Philippines, just as their children do today. As we would say in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, Salamat sa Dios!

When Prue and Cliff retired from the mission field they moved to Columbia, SC, where Cliff taught at the Columbia International University, and Prue worked in the print shop until she retired. Prue made their home a haven for many students with her welcoming spirit, her listening ear, godly advice and her meals.

She loved to worship at her church, First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC and her circle group. Studying God’s Word in various Bible studies brought her joy and she was a joy to them as she shared words of wisdom.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the gazebo in Woodridge Memorial Park. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks and social distancing are required.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Prudence G. Bedell to the Clifford and Prudence Bedell Scholarship Fund at CIU, to First Presbyterian Church for the missionaries’ needs, or to SEND International.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com