Lena Jean Bilbrey

Lena Jean Gober Bilbrey (Jean Jean), of Abilene, TX passed away Monday, August 15, 2016 at Hendrick Medical Center. She was born on April 10, 1942 in Gorman, TX to parents James Fishel Gober and Minnie Odessal Jackson Gober. Lena moved to the Abilene area in 1955 and graduated from Abilene High School in 1960. She promptly began her employment with the Abilene Independent School District. Shortly after her marriage in 1961, she and her husband Cleve moved to Midland, TX where they began their family. Knowing the significance of family support and role models, the young family returned to be near family in Abilene in 1967. Lena began a successful "first" career as a private piano teacher, instructing hundreds of students over the course of two decades. In 1990 she launched her "second" career, which perfectly combined her love of people with her love of travel. She and her husband founded Bilbrey Tours, Inc. Over the past twenty-six years she lead tours to all fifty states, fifty-four countries and 4 continents as also became one of the few female motorcoach owners in the industry. Tens of thousands of "travelers" joined her on great adventures both near and far to see God's amazing world. While they began as travelers, most quickly became friends and ultimately members of her extended family. Showing people the beauty of God's creations was one of Lena's greatest joys, and it will remain the focus of Bilbrey Tours, Inc. as we continue to lead tours throughout the world. Lena married Cleveland Ray Bilbrey in Tye on February 24, 1961, and they had two children, Richard Cleveland and Rhonda Jean Bilbrey. Lena was a long-time member of Southern Hills Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by parents and her brother, Charles Ray Gober. Lena is survived by her husband, Cleve; son, Richard Bilbrey and wife, Dianna of Abilene; daughter, Rhonda of Denton; grandsons, Jathan Bilbrey and wife Aleicia; Tanner Bilbrey and fiancée Kaylee Rowe, and Riley Bilbrey all of Abilene. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including nephews Travis Wayne Gober and James Ray Gober of Tye, TX along with her Bilbrey Tours family including Tim, Valerie and Hannah Dean, Rudy Porras, and numerous current and former tour escorts. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene with interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, TX. John Fanning of View Baptist Church and Danny Minton of Southern Hills Church of Christ will officiate. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 5:00 pm – 7:00pm at The Hamil Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Pallbearers will be Jathan Bilbrey, Tanner Bilbrey, Riley Bilbrey, Travis Gober, James Gober, Tim Dean, Rudy Porras, Randy Dobbins and Jeremy Sanders. Honorary Pallbearers: Danny Haddox, Jason Weltzin and James Boone. The Bilbrey family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Anton Melnyk, Texas Oncology, Abilene Regional Medical Center – 5th floor Oncology nurses, Hendrick ContinueCare, Hendrick Hospice Care, Visiting Angels, Dr. Houssam Osman and Alyssa Chapates of Trinity Surgical Consultants – Dallas. The family will be honoring Lena by making one of her last wishes a reality. Through the works of John 4:14 Foundation (Midland, TX) a water well will be constructed in Uganda to provide a community of 500-2000 individuals with one of life's basic needs: safe drinking water. John 4:14 reads "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." While Lena's time on earth was short, her legacy through the gift of clean water will be a testament of Christ's love for years to come. Donations are accepted at www.j414.org in honor of Lena Bilbrey. Additionally, the family is a proud supporter of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center.