With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lena Emily Self, age 99. Born December 21, 1925, in Rhondda Valley, Wales, she went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 19, 2025, peacefully passing at home in Carrollton, Virginia, surrounded by her loving family.
She was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband, Clyde Elbert Self, Sr.; her mother, Alice Agnes (Griffith) Bishop; her father, Roland Charles Bishop; and her brothers and sisters: George Bishop, Brinley Bishop, Charles Bishop, Emrhys Bishop, Godfrey Bishop,
Marjorie (Bishop) Thurtle, Phyllis June (Bishop) Hayden, and Gillian (Bishop) Madeley.
Guided by an unwavering love for God, Lena lived a life of extraordinary faith, compassion, and devotion, touching all who knew her and leaving a legacy of strength, kindness, and enduring love.
She is survived by her sister, Myra (Bishop) Chandler, and her four beautiful and loving children, Cecilia Imogene (Self) Johnson, whose husbands were Robert Heuneman (deceased) and Owen Johnson (deceased); Susan Anita (Self) Turner and her husband, Clinton “CP” Turner; Linda Gail (Self) Carter and her husband, Jerry Carter; and Clyde Elbert Self, Jr. and his wife, Mary (Bowden) Self.
She is also survived by ten loving grandchildren: Jonathan Robert Heuneman and his wife, Elizabeth; Dennis Jay Heuneman and his wife, Roberta; Melinda Sue (Heuneman) Whittington and her husband, Robert; Vicki Lynn (Turner) Liverman and her husband, Lem; Anita Darlene Turner; Clinton Perry Turner III and his wife, Laurie; John Phillip Turner and his wife, Crystal; Laura Emily (Carter) Cooper and her husband, Eric; John Everett Self and his wife, Brooke; and Rachel Elizabeth (Self) Okon and her husband, Jeff.
She is further survived by 37 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great-grandchildren, with three great-great-grandchildren on the way.
Her family tree stands as a living testament to a life well-lived, with love, faith, and devotion branching across five generations.
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” — Matthew 25:23
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Newport News, with a funeral service following at the church at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be held at Peninsula Memorial Park.
5 Comments
This one of a kind beautiful soul, inside and out, was and is a truly special and wonderful person that has been respected, appreciated, loved and who will be missed and remembered forever!!! She has gone home and is with her Father in Heaven who has given her the wings 🪽 that she has so very gracefully earned on this earth, to be in a new body, young and out of pain! Our hearts are so very heavy with grief for the loss of this amazing woman, but we know exactly where she is now! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Our hearts are overjoyed to have known Ms. Lena for so many years ♥️♥️♥️
Your mom was truly a special person. She was more than a landlord to me for over nine years. She was a sweet & beautiful friend, a confidant, a spiritual blessing, a great grandma to my kids and grandkids, a great cook, and so much more. She will be greatly missed. I loved her very much. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.
Linda, Cecilia and the entire family I was so saddened to hear about Lena what an angel she was soo sweet kind and I will miss every visit but I am surely honored to have known her sweet soul. May god bless you all during this time.
With deepest sympathy
Shelly@ Eagle Harbor with Dr. Balka
We loved her phone calls and Christmas cards! Both felt like a warm hug across the miles! A beautiful, kind, loving aunt who is already so missed!
We always loved her phone calls and Christmas cards. Both felt like a warm hug across the miles! She was a beautiful, kind, and loving aunt! A great loss for all who knew her!