Orval Dean LeJeune

Orval Dean LeJeune, loving husband of Suzanne Kaye LeJeune, was ushered into the presence of the Lord on March 20, 2025 at the age of 85. He was born into the home of minister and wife, Reverend Byron E. LeJeune and Mamie Bates LeJeune on May 27, 1939, in Fitzgerald, GA.

Orval graduated in 1957 from Central High School in Charlotte, NC, and from Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN, in 1961. While at Trevecca, Orval served as Student Council Secretary and Student Body President. He received the Trevecca Citizenship Award in his Junior and Senior Years. Orval received his MA degree from George Peabody College in Nashville, TN. He completed several courses toward a doctorate at Georgia State University.

After college graduation, he taught high school Mathematics in Fairview, TN, Junior College Math at DeKalb Community College in Clarkston, GA, where he served as president of the Faculty Advisory Council for several years, and Truett McConnell College in Epworth, GA. As a classroom teacher, he was well-loved and respected and received many notes of appreciation from his students.

In his early and middle years, he enjoyed playing tennis, both singles and doubles. He loved watching baseball, along with college football and basketball on television. Orval was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice, which he used singing with the Pathfinders Quartet in Murphy, NC. He was an active member of Gideons International, and served as Treasurer of the Murphy Camp for several years. He gave his heart to the Lord Jesus as a young child and served Him the rest of his life. For twenty years, Orval and wife, Suzanne, served as Executive Couple of the Smoky Mountain Foothills Community of United Marriage Encounter in western NC. Another hat they wore in this couple ministry was that of Lay Team Couple and they served more than 25 weekends in various UME Communities.

Preceding Orval in death are his parents, brother Ed LeJeune, daughter Shari LeJeune, grandson Jeremy Willingham, and nephew Scott LeJeune.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne LeJeune; Daughters Diane (John) McElwee of Oxford, AR, Jane Robinson of Rutledge, GA, brother Byron E. LeJeune, Jr (Carla) of Charlotte, NC, four granddaughters, Jessica Monroe of Monroe, GA, Nicole Monroe of Porterdale, GA, Catherine (Jessie) Hall of California, MD, Jayme Willingham of Porterdale, GA; Former Spouse, Patsy LeJeune of Rutledge, GA, Step-Sons Butch (Terri) Loew of Social Circle, GA and Rob (Robyn) Loew of Leadville, CO; Step-Daughter Debbie Rexroth of Anderson, SC; Step-Grandchildren Ryan (Stephanie) Loew of Covington, GA, Robby (Lindsay) Loew of Social Circle, GA, Randy (Addye) Loew of Covington, GA, Travis (Ashleigh) Rexroth of Anderson, SC, Trent (Rachel) Rexroth of Buford, GA, Cameron (Melisa) Loew of Huntsville, AL, Abigail Loew, Eden Loew, Petra Loew, Mavic Loew of Leadville, CO, and Cooper Jane Woody of Pensacola, FL. He was also blessed with fourteen Great-Grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.

Orval loved spending quality time with family at the Bear Paw home on Lake Hiwassee, North Carolina, which he and Suzanne planned and designed in 1997 and enjoyed until March of 2022. He served as security guard there at the Bear Paw community for 15 years.

Orval's kindness, faith and love for his family and friends left a lasting impact. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Funeral Service for Mr. LeJeune will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1:00 P.M., at First Social Circle, 195 North Cherokee Road, in Social Circle, with interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park, 1111 Access Road, in Covington. Friends are invited to visit with the family Tuesday, March 25, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M., at Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: https://umelegacy.com/lejeune-story-continues and click on the three bars at the upper left, then click on Donate and put Orval's name in the Add a Dedication button. Or Gideons International, P.0. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906