Lena Mae Scoggins, beloved Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma, went to be with the Lord on September 21, 2018. She was 88 years old and living in Tavares, Florida. Born in LaFayette, Georgia in 1930, Lena was one of six children born to Sam B. and Grace E. Garner. Her family lived in Lyerly, Ga during her school years. She graduated from Lyerly High School (Georgia), in 1947 where she was a star basketball player and the team captain. She also wrote the class poem for her Senior yearbook.
She married Tom J. Scoggins in 1951. Together, they had five sons. Tom was in the Air Force and they lived in a number of cities in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, settling in Orlando in 1961. After 38 years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 1989.
At 33 years of age, Lena accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and fervently spent the next 55 years serving Him. Her faith and relationship with God was steadfast, resolute, and fierce. She was quick to share it with others.
She was a gifted musician and singer. An accomplished pianist & guitarist, she played and sang for a number of churches in the Orlando area. Earlier in her marriage, she and Tom sang as a gospel duo. Later, she played and sang with her son, Brian.
She is survived by her sons, Randy (Marie) of Mount Dora, Fl, Danny (Kathy) of Orlando, Fl, Tony (Cindy) of Orlando, Fl, Brian (Connie) of Maryville, Tenn, and Rick of Ocala, Fl, along with 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter. Her beloved grandson, Robbie, preceded her in death in 1984.
She is also survived by her sisters, Dolores Hayes (Raymond) and Patricia Garner, both of Dacula, Ga.
God and her family were the most important things in her life. She served God with an unparalleled passion and her pride in her sons was endless. She considered her “boys” to be her greatest earthly accomplishment. She had photos of all five on her wall and prayed for them daily.
She spent the last 4 years of her life at Brookdale Assisted Living, of Tavares, Florida. She was a Rock-Star there, widely loved by the residents and staff. They were family to her. She kept soft drinks in her refrigerator for the “girls”, who would stop and visit with her as they made their rounds. She took these opportunities to share her faith in Christ with them.
She arrived in the dining room early for every meal, hugging and shaking hands with everyone. She was an enthusiastic Bingo player and won often, sharing her prizes with others who did not win. She loved shopping and field trips and was always the first on the bus. She played piano and sang for the weekly worship service at Brookdale, considering her service as a Gospel ministry.
Lena lived a full life, serving God and loving her family. She had a “Bigger Than Life” personality and impacted many lives, spreading the Good News of our Savior to others. She is responsible for the salvation of numerous folks. She was an unforgettable person who never met a stranger. She had an impeccable work ethic, was resolute in her beliefs and opinions, loyal to those she loved, and committed to her God and her family. She was a wonderful and loving mom and grandma.
She will be greatly missed but we know we will see her again! We know God greeted her with “Well done Lena, Welcome Home!" Like the apostle Paul, Lena fought the good fight, and finished her course, and definitely kept the faith!
We Love You and Will See you in Heaven!
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