Jean Madison Bingham

Jean Madison Bingham, 90, of Statesville, passed away Thursday, December 25, 2014, at the Gordon Hospice House. She was born in Union Grove on November 12, 1924, and was the daughter of the late Sherrill Martin Madison and Ruby Douglas Madison. She moved with her family to Statesville when she was two years old and lived there for the remainder of her life. She graduated from Statesville High School in 1943. She retired from the City of Statesville after many years of employment and later worked at the Iredell Vocational Workshop. Jean was a lifetime member of Oakland Presbyterian Church and was active there in many women's organizations. She also loved working with children and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, E.A. Bingham; her brother, Claude Madison; her sister, Ferne Sexton; her son, Jeffrey Lynn Reid; and Jack Reid, her first husband and father of her children. She is survived by two sons, John Reid (Vicki) of Moravian Falls, NC, and Jim Reid of Statesville; one daughter, Ginger Benfield (Phil) of Palm Bay, FL; eight grandchildren, Abe Reid (Jan), Luke Reid (Catherine), Corrie Benfield, Josh Benfield (Jill), Isaac Benfield, Justin Reid, Jesse Reid, Jackson Reid; and six great grandchildren, Kaleb Reid, Maggie Reid, Oli Reid, Hank Reid, Ruby Reid, and Ana Benfield; one sister, Jewel Thompson (Jim); one sister-in-law, Sue Reid, and lots of special nieces and nephews. Jean always tried to live her life with the philosophy that life is not about being first in line. The most important thing in her life, next to God, was her family. She also had many good friends who contributed to her happiness. Funeral services for Jean will be conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Oakland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steve Snipes officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Abe Reid, Luke Reid, Josh Benfield, Isaac Benfield, Steven Sexton, Jackson Reid, and Kaleb Reid. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Pam Sholar and also the staff at the Gordon Hospice House for their care during her illness and the last days of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given in honor of Jean Bingham to Oakland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 5362, Statesville, NC 28687, or to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Jean Madison Bingham.