Jenny Pitman Alverson
(1947 – 2006)

By Dr. James Kennard

Her life was a velvet bridge by which many came to know Christ or were strengthened in their faith and walk with the Saviour. The true mark of a Christian is their yieldedness and willingness to sacrifice all for the Lord. The life of Jenny Pitman Alverson was no exception. Her earthly life, though cut short due to cancer, was full and complete. She walked a path that so many dare not trod, in order to follow the direction of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jenny met her husband, Dr. Jeff Alverson, while attending Tennessee Temple University. She was in preparation for her role in the kingdom of God. For the next twelve years, she and Jeff served the Lord in pastoral roles. Later, God led them in the direction of worldwide missions, where they spent the next twenty-one years serving in the military ministry.

For the past thirteen years, she has called the Chattanooga area her home where she has been an active member of Victory Baptist Church. She and her daughter, frequently called upon to sing and play musically, were beloved by all those in attendance there. Her participation in regular church activities was an inspiration to all who knew her.

This was not the extent of her influence however, as she stood beside her husband in his role as the Assistant Director of Military Missions worldwide. Dr. Alverson supported the efforts of Baptist International Missions, Inc., with regard to Military Missions, and Jenny stood firmly by her husband’s side. She encouraged Jeff up to the day she died. Many would agree that their connections with BIMI were enhanced by the life and testimony of Jenny Alverson. Her support made it possible for Dr. Jeff Alverson to work in harmony with myself and the missionaries of the Military Ministry. We worked harmoniously together for the cause of Christ, and Jenny’s involvement was invaluable.

While we who are left here on earth acknowledge our grief and sorrow at her passing, we must be quick to focus on the reality of her death. Can you imagine those first few moments in eternity? As she fell into the arms of her Saviour, she no doubt said, “Abba Father.” He no doubt said, “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Welcome Home.”

What is the measure of a life? The measure of a life is its content. The life of Jenny Pitman Alverson was and is marked by love. She loved all those she came into contact with, and displayed the love of Christ to all those that needed the blessed gospel of Jesus Christ. While we mourn her passing, let us rejoice at her life fulfilled by the cause of Christ.

On a personal note, she had a conversation with my son recently. He called to be a blessing to her by telling her that he was praying earnestly for her. What resulted was consistent with her life. She ended up blessing him. She informed him that she and her husband pray for him daily, and that she cared very deeply for him.

What is a measure of a life? It is content. The life of Jenny Alverson was full of love and devotion. That is why so many came from many miles away to honor her life. Three separate services were held to commemorate her. As far away as Germany, people mourned her death but celebrated her faith. She was finally laid to rest in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

We can find the gravestone that was placed at the head of her grave, but we cannot find the soul of Jenny Pitman Alverson, unless we look upward. Heaven is her home and her dwelling place. If she were able to speak to us today, she would, no doubt, encourage us in our faith. She would compel us to measure the quality of our lives by their content. And so, her life was not lived in vain. We have all benefited by our relationship with this dear Saint of God.

Director’s Note: A memorial fund has been established in honor of Jenny Alverson which will be used for the military ministry. Contributions can be sent to BIMI military fund account #642 designated for Jenny Alverson memorial fund.

Send to BIMI P. O. Box 9215 Chattanooga, TN 37412.

Editor’s Note: Jenny courageously fought this battle with cancer for three years and eight months. After four different kinds of chemotherapy and five rounds almost non-stop plus the alternative treatments in Michigan, the Lord took her Home. One pastor said it well when he said that she finally won her battle with cancer.

Jenny had a will to live unlike anything I have ever seen. Even during those final hours as she hovered between life and death, time and eternity it was obvious that in her flesh she wanted to stay with her family she loved so much. Anita, Jon, Melissa and I gathered around her bed and sang hymns of heaven and home. Although she could not speak, we could see her lower lip move as she tried to sing with us. Then we told her we loved her, thanked her for being a good wife and mother and told her that we would surely miss her but if Jesus was calling that we understood, that it was alright to go on Home and we would see her again over there. A tear came to her eye and ran down her face. Shortly afterwards, as we stood by and held her hand, she checked out and immediately checked in on the other side.

We miss her greatly but we will see her again on the shores of Glory. Until then we will keep on keeping on in the service of our Lord.

Thank you all for your expressions of sympathy and outpouring of love.
Jeff Alverson

Special Note: You can view a slide presentation of Jenny on our website at www.militarymissions.com.