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I had the privilege of meeting Zalene (NANNY) as the grandkids called her. I met her in the fall of 1989. Her son, Ken lost his wife in October of that
year. And I was to become her grandchildren's caregiver. Ken was left with 3 small children to care for. And in March of 1990 I became a full-time
nanny myself. For the next 3 1/2 years I helped raise them. And Bob and Zalene would come to Wisconsin and stay a night or two and visit. And I
thought they were the nicest people I had ever met. Nanny always reminded me of my own grandma. They were the same height. Nanny may have
been small but she sure had a BIG HEART!! I always looked forward to their visits. I especially loved the southern drawl. I have corresponded with both
Bob and Zalene for the last 15 years, with an occasional letter and Christmas cards. I also had the honor of having a few heart to heart talks with her.
She was a truly genuine person. And she will be forever missed, but never forgotten. She is now resting in the arms of God. God Bless. Sincerely,
Julie Hutchison
Schofield, Wisconsin
year. And I was to become her grandchildren's caregiver. Ken was left with 3 small children to care for. And in March of 1990 I became a full-time
nanny myself. For the next 3 1/2 years I helped raise them. And Bob and Zalene would come to Wisconsin and stay a night or two and visit. And I
thought they were the nicest people I had ever met. Nanny always reminded me of my own grandma. They were the same height. Nanny may have
been small but she sure had a BIG HEART!! I always looked forward to their visits. I especially loved the southern drawl. I have corresponded with both
Bob and Zalene for the last 15 years, with an occasional letter and Christmas cards. I also had the honor of having a few heart to heart talks with her.
She was a truly genuine person. And she will be forever missed, but never forgotten. She is now resting in the arms of God. God Bless. Sincerely,
Julie Hutchison
Schofield, Wisconsin
It was 1967 and I was sent to live with Uncle Bob and Aunt Zalene for the summer because my mom figured I needed some guidance since my
father had died the year before. Uncle Bob was a Captain in the Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, and my father had been a musician and a
Carnie. Wow, what a contrast in life styles! Thank God for Aunt Zalene! At 9 years old I thought my 5’ 9” father was big, so, to me, Uncle Bob was
monstrous, and I pushed every single button imaginable. Wade Franklin and I are only 3 weeks apart in age and we would get in some fights! No
matter how bad anything got, Aunt Zalene was there. She saved me from Uncle Bob’s wrath more times than I could count, yet she still let me
know that I had messed up, again. She never gave up on me (neither did Uncle Bob!) and had welcomed me into their home as if I were one of
their own. Kenny was the skinny little brother and Rebecca was the cutest little doll in the world. It is unfortunate that we have always lived so far
away from everyone and missed out on so much. I know there is a special place in Heaven for people like Aunt Zalene.
Mike Tompkins - Nephew (Son of Connie Breeden)
Lutz, Florida
father had died the year before. Uncle Bob was a Captain in the Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, and my father had been a musician and a
Carnie. Wow, what a contrast in life styles! Thank God for Aunt Zalene! At 9 years old I thought my 5’ 9” father was big, so, to me, Uncle Bob was
monstrous, and I pushed every single button imaginable. Wade Franklin and I are only 3 weeks apart in age and we would get in some fights! No
matter how bad anything got, Aunt Zalene was there. She saved me from Uncle Bob’s wrath more times than I could count, yet she still let me
know that I had messed up, again. She never gave up on me (neither did Uncle Bob!) and had welcomed me into their home as if I were one of
their own. Kenny was the skinny little brother and Rebecca was the cutest little doll in the world. It is unfortunate that we have always lived so far
away from everyone and missed out on so much. I know there is a special place in Heaven for people like Aunt Zalene.
Mike Tompkins - Nephew (Son of Connie Breeden)
Lutz, Florida
I haven't seen Zalene for years but remember her sweet spirit and the times she spoke to women's groups when she and Bob pastored in Maryland at Mt
Calvary. I live in Nashville now and seldom see those from the old Maryland State but remain active in FWB work and am a member of Donelson
Fellowship FWB Church.
Laura Hamm
Nashville, Tennessee
Calvary. I live in Nashville now and seldom see those from the old Maryland State but remain active in FWB work and am a member of Donelson
Fellowship FWB Church.
Laura Hamm
Nashville, Tennessee
Aunt Zalene was one of the most caring and giving people I know!!! She always loved her family...especially my Mom...Aunt Zalene called
her Tootsie. There wasn't anything Aunt Zalene wouldn't do to help someone in need. I was always impressed with the fact that she was a
missionary..not many people...especially women would be so dedicated to God that they would leave home and serve the Lord so faithfully. I
do have one favorite memory which is really cute. My Mom would take us to visit Aunt Zalene frequently...no matter where she lived...military
base (Uncle Bob was in the service), the coast, or the mountains. On one of our visits...Uncle Bob asked Aunt Zalene if she would like a
banana split...she replied yes, but only a small one. We all laughed till we cried when Uncle Bob came back with the smallest banana split
ever made!!! It was in a coca-cola bottle cap!!!! They always had a happy, love filled home. You will be missed Aunt Zalene...but I know, I
know where you are...safe in the arms of your Lord. With fondest of memories...
Connie Tubiolo (Niece / Oldest daughter of Yvonne Lloyd.)
Hillsborough, North Carolina
her Tootsie. There wasn't anything Aunt Zalene wouldn't do to help someone in need. I was always impressed with the fact that she was a
missionary..not many people...especially women would be so dedicated to God that they would leave home and serve the Lord so faithfully. I
do have one favorite memory which is really cute. My Mom would take us to visit Aunt Zalene frequently...no matter where she lived...military
base (Uncle Bob was in the service), the coast, or the mountains. On one of our visits...Uncle Bob asked Aunt Zalene if she would like a
banana split...she replied yes, but only a small one. We all laughed till we cried when Uncle Bob came back with the smallest banana split
ever made!!! It was in a coca-cola bottle cap!!!! They always had a happy, love filled home. You will be missed Aunt Zalene...but I know, I
know where you are...safe in the arms of your Lord. With fondest of memories...
Connie Tubiolo (Niece / Oldest daughter of Yvonne Lloyd.)
Hillsborough, North Carolina
I am just so glad that Uncle Bob and Aunt Zalene (actually my great aunt and uncle technically!) purchased the house previously owned by my
grandparents, Blanch and Henry Tomlin, upon "Papa's" death in 2000. This is such a special house to me, and to have Bob and Zalene there
sharing stories about Nana and Papa and showing so much love and devotion for one another has been just awesome. Zalene always had an "I Love
You" ready whenever we stopped by, and she especially loved to see my two small children. What a special couple, and an inspiration to all of us!
Jodi (McNemar) Myers
Daughter of Mary Frances (Tomlin) McNemar, Daughter of Henry and Blanch (Breeden) Tomlin
Mount Sidney, VA
grandparents, Blanch and Henry Tomlin, upon "Papa's" death in 2000. This is such a special house to me, and to have Bob and Zalene there
sharing stories about Nana and Papa and showing so much love and devotion for one another has been just awesome. Zalene always had an "I Love
You" ready whenever we stopped by, and she especially loved to see my two small children. What a special couple, and an inspiration to all of us!
Jodi (McNemar) Myers
Daughter of Mary Frances (Tomlin) McNemar, Daughter of Henry and Blanch (Breeden) Tomlin
Mount Sidney, VA
If there were ever Angels on earth, Aunt Zalene was one. She was without a doubt, the sweetset person I have ever known. My brightest
memories of Aunt Zalene go back to when I was a child in Buena Vista. When the Breeden family came 'home' from wherever they were living
at the time, we would wait anxiously on their arrival. I remember Zalene hugging me when she came in the door, and she always said, "I love
you Ree." I loved spending time with them, and playing with my cousins, Wade Franklin, Kenneth, Becky & little Russ. I will deeply miss
Kenneth & Zalene.
On Christmas Eve, Mama & Daddy would let us open one present late that night. Clelon & I alway chose the gifts from Bob & Zalene, which
had been posted from Alaska, Maine, Tennessee, or any state they were in. They were the neatest gifts. I cherish those memories.
Ree Breeden
Son of Richard ("Ike") and Virginia (Ginny) Breeden
Concord, VA
memories of Aunt Zalene go back to when I was a child in Buena Vista. When the Breeden family came 'home' from wherever they were living
at the time, we would wait anxiously on their arrival. I remember Zalene hugging me when she came in the door, and she always said, "I love
you Ree." I loved spending time with them, and playing with my cousins, Wade Franklin, Kenneth, Becky & little Russ. I will deeply miss
Kenneth & Zalene.
On Christmas Eve, Mama & Daddy would let us open one present late that night. Clelon & I alway chose the gifts from Bob & Zalene, which
had been posted from Alaska, Maine, Tennessee, or any state they were in. They were the neatest gifts. I cherish those memories.
Ree Breeden
Son of Richard ("Ike") and Virginia (Ginny) Breeden
Concord, VA
| Tributes & Memories |
My memories of Zalene are how fast she was at everything she attempted. She was always like a little bee buzzing around. I remember seeing her
when they lived in Big Island out raking leaves. I do not think that I have ever seen anyone go so fast with her little hands as she was that day at raking
leaves. She was a very dear part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of her. She was a very small lady in statue but in spirit, faith and
her heart she was a giant of a person. I can never remember a harsh word coming from her mouth and never ever a wrong reaction towards anyone.
She was in every form of the word a very loving, caring Christian lady.
Clelon Breeden Berry
Llynchburg, Virginia
when they lived in Big Island out raking leaves. I do not think that I have ever seen anyone go so fast with her little hands as she was that day at raking
leaves. She was a very dear part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of her. She was a very small lady in statue but in spirit, faith and
her heart she was a giant of a person. I can never remember a harsh word coming from her mouth and never ever a wrong reaction towards anyone.
She was in every form of the word a very loving, caring Christian lady.
Clelon Breeden Berry
Llynchburg, Virginia
Mrs. Breeden always amazed me. She had a class of all Jr. High School boys; about a dozen of us. We were always kept in line and our attention was
always on her as she taught us. Her fast pace and manner of speaking could keep the most uninterested person on the edge of their seat. Her driving
ability was incredible. She drove a LARGE station wagon (she could hardly see over the wheel) and went from zero to fast in no time at all. GOD
protected her. She took a bunch of us to snow camp in NY in a blinding snow storm, and returned to get us in a blinding snow storm and did not let a
little thing like a snow storm slow her down. I sometimes still drive that same road and have good thoughts about riding with her.
George Mitchell
Littleton, NH
always on her as she taught us. Her fast pace and manner of speaking could keep the most uninterested person on the edge of their seat. Her driving
ability was incredible. She drove a LARGE station wagon (she could hardly see over the wheel) and went from zero to fast in no time at all. GOD
protected her. She took a bunch of us to snow camp in NY in a blinding snow storm, and returned to get us in a blinding snow storm and did not let a
little thing like a snow storm slow her down. I sometimes still drive that same road and have good thoughts about riding with her.
George Mitchell
Littleton, NH
[July 10, 2014] I remember Zalene who took care of me and my brother when I was three and he was six years old in Lloyd's Neck, Long Island in the
summer of 1944 and maybe in New York City also. I'm sure I remember her well even from such a young age because my mother spoke about her so
often over the years always wondering how she was and hoping she was happy and always repeating what "a good person" she was. For Mother, "good"
encompassed all the important qualities in life. My mother and Zalene corresponded for some years and Mother kept a picture of Zalene dressed in a
Sari that Zalene had sent her when she was in India. Mother always regretted having at some point lost touch with her.
Mother died at age 94 in 2007. I am still thinking of Zalene, and am so sorry I did not think to try searching for her on the Internet before just now.
Mother would have been so very pleased to learn of the happy and productive life Zalene led and of how much she was appreciated, admired and
loved by so many others as well as her.
Maria Lewis Phillips
New York, NY
summer of 1944 and maybe in New York City also. I'm sure I remember her well even from such a young age because my mother spoke about her so
often over the years always wondering how she was and hoping she was happy and always repeating what "a good person" she was. For Mother, "good"
encompassed all the important qualities in life. My mother and Zalene corresponded for some years and Mother kept a picture of Zalene dressed in a
Sari that Zalene had sent her when she was in India. Mother always regretted having at some point lost touch with her.
Mother died at age 94 in 2007. I am still thinking of Zalene, and am so sorry I did not think to try searching for her on the Internet before just now.
Mother would have been so very pleased to learn of the happy and productive life Zalene led and of how much she was appreciated, admired and
loved by so many others as well as her.
Maria Lewis Phillips
New York, NY