Eleanor Jane Bredbenner

Eleanor, a native of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was the child of James and Audrey Boone. She is survived by her sister, Gretchen Grazioso of Apex, three children, Hilda Jones of Franklin, North Carolina, Hal Bredbenner of Raleigh and Hugh Bredbenner of Holly Springs, eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Soon after marrying in 1950, Eleanor and her husband, Elwood, left their secular employment to minister in an Appalachian mountain mission near Corbin, Kentucky. This was the beginning of more than 50 years of service and ministry.

In 1952, the Bredbenners founded Faith Assembly of God in Maysville, Kentucky. Later they pastored First Assembly of God in Lexington, Kentucky.

In 1966, Elwood and Eleanor moved to Raleigh to pastor First Assembly of God, where Eleanor served as first lady for 22 years.

Over the years, Eleanor taught Bible classes, mentored other pastor’s wives, was always involved in music ministry, and lovingly cared for her husband through years of ill health, until his death in 2001.

After retiring from the pastoral role, Eleanor and Elwood still served the Lord, teaching internationally in Bible schools and active on their local church.

She was truly a good and faithful servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The family will receive visitors from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Raleigh, NC. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at North Haven Church, 6620 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. Interment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the Bredbenner family requests that memorial donations be made to assist with medical expenses for Eleanor’s granddaughter Meagan Seymour. Checks should be made payable to Aaron Seymour and sent to: Anna Roddenberry, Account Custodian, 1217 Willowbrook Drive, Cary NC 27511. On-line donations may be made at http://www.gofundme.com/8q2exo.