Lena Ann Orders Cloninger

Lena Ann Orders Cloninger, 88, of Morganton died Friday, March 8, 2013. Born in Burke County, NC on December 14, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Roy Nelson Orders and Effie Millis Orders. Lena was a very active and lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church. She served on many church committees and circles, was active with the United Methodist Women, and helped with church health screenings. Lena was a graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte and taught for many years at the Grace Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as an R.N. at Grace Hospital, Valdese Hospital, Broughton Hospital, a physicians office, Rex Hospital, Raleigh, NC, Western Carolina Center, Foothills Mental Health Respite Care, the Red Cross Bloodmobile, and was active with C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team). She was a devoted caregiver to so many but especially to the Rev. Beth Henderson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil K. Cloninger and a brother-in-law, Jerry Garrell.Mrs. Cloninger is survived by her son, Jerry A. Cloninger and his wife, Brenda, of Smyrna, GA; a brother, Alva Orders and his wife, Ruby, of Morganton; and a sister, Eloise Garrell of Holden Beach, NC.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at Salem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Conforti officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.