"Jesus Loves You"

Major Lorraine Belle Leeson Delaney was born on December 22nd, 1928, in Shinnston, WV to Clyde and Opal Drain Leeson. It was at The Salvation Army where she met the love of her life, Elwood Donald Delaney. Elwood and Lorraine were married at ages 15 & 13 in Parkersburg, WV. At age 15, Lorraine worked as a combat boot maker during World War II, while her husband served in the South Pacific. At the age of 19, she entered The Salvation Army School For Officer Training as a part of the "Kings Messengers" session. Commissioned in 1948, she served as an active Salvation Army Officer for 44 years. Her appointments as an active Officer included serving in the following divisions: GA, ALM, NCV, MWVA, AOK, KT, and TX; which included nineteen different appointments and numerous post-retirement appointments. Post retirement, she continued to serve the Lord as a substitute Sunday School teacher for the pre-school class at the Panama City Corps and remained a faithful soldier.

Major Lorraine Delaney had the gift of engaging soldiers and young people in the mission and ministry of the Corps. She had a love for music; she played in the band as a child and young Officer, played the timbrel and was a soloist. "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" was one of her favorite songs to sing. She leaves behind a legacy of music through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a passion for preaching the Word of God and still continued to share the Word in her later years, while living at Charter Senior Living Facility, in Panama City Beach, FL. She was the epitome of a feisty, hardworking soldier of Christ. She had a deep love for Jesus, her husband of 76 years, her family, and others. Even in the midst of declining health, she remained faithful to the Lord. Major Lorraine Delaney entered into the loving arms of her Savior on November 2nd, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her son Major Dan Delaney and her husband, Major Elwood Delaney, but leaves behind a legacy of love and faithfulness through her family.

Major Patricia Bledsoe (R), daughter. (Major John Bledsoe, deceased)
USMC 1st Sgt. (R) Timothy, son, & Thelma Delaney
Vanessa Houseal, daughter. (Bill Houseal, deceased)

Major Lynda Delaney (R), daughter in law. (Major Dan Delaney, deceased)

Grandchildren & spouses-22

Great grandchildren & spouses-35

Great-great grandchildren-8

Reverand Jonathan (grandson) & Lisa Bledsoe
Jordan & Josh Lyle, Lilly, Noah & Micah
Bethany & Brock Keith, Palmer

Hannah Bledsoe

Captains Andrea (granddaughter) & Scott Hoover

Aaron, Brandi & Evie

Savannah

Garrick Shaun Bledsoe (grandson, deceased)

Captains Lorraina (granddaughter) & Joe Crawford

Cadet Jeremiah Crawford

Delaney & Eden

Daniel Delaney (grandson)

Chana (granddaughter) & Jon Jordan

Brandon

Brittni & Liam

David (grandson) & Danielle Delaney, Dannie Lee, Drew & Dylan

Chris Delaney (grandson)

Kim Hall (granddaughter)

Majors Melissa (granddaughter) & Joe Irvin

Anna, Sandra, Caleb, Christian, Karma, & Gavin

Lt. Judah & Captain Alyssa Irvin, Ellewood Rose & Adelaide Jean

Captains Monica (granddaughter) & Johnny Horton

Emily, Tripp, Tyler, Levi & Eleanor

Majors Timothy (grandson) & Bethany Delaney

Jubilee, Zoe & Israel

William (grandson) & Camille Houseal

Lauren, Wyatt & Frances Foster Houseal (due 12/30/23)