Rena Alice Friend Cheney, 97, of Cumberland, MD, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Born February 15, 1926, in Friendsville, MD, Rena was the daughter of Arch C. Friend and Estella (Sisler) Friend. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John W. Cheney, Sr.; her son John W. (Jack) Cheney, Jr.; her brother Jasper Friend, and her sisters Laurine Friend, Gertrude Leeka, Jean Kowalczyk, June Walburn, and Mary Jane Friend.

Rena was a graduate of Friendsville High School and Catherman’s Business School. She was first employed at Buchanan Lumber Company where she met her future husband. In 1957, she joined her husband and others in establishing Valley Lumber Company where she supported operations in various roles until her retirement.

Rena was a member of Centre Street United Methodist Church for 68 years until its closing, when she then attended New Covenant United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School and was an active member of the United Methodist Women.

Rena loved sports and played golf and bowled for many years. She enjoyed playing cards and was a member of several local bridge and 500 groups. She also loved to do needlework and cook for her family. Her family was the love of her life.

Rena is survived by her daughter Patricia Cannon and husband Ed, Hedgesville, WV; two grandsons, Dr. Jason Cheney and wife Christine, Oak Ridge, TN, and John Cannon, Hedgesville; and two granddaughters, Jantia Barnhart and husband Chris, Thurmont, MD, and Kara Combs and husband Will, Martinsburg, WV. She also has three great grandchildren, Carinne Cheney and Jacob Cheney, Oak Ridge, and Chayney Barnhart, Thurmont.

Rena is also survived by a sister, Marie Fowler, Wisconsin, two sisters-in-law, Mary Chaney, Waynesboro, PA, and Esther Cheney, Frederick, MD, daughter-in-law Starr Giles and husband Gary, Cumberland, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, MD on Saturday, March 18, at 11:30 a.m. with Reverend Donna Renn officiating. Friends and family will be received from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Chris Barnhart, Ed Cannon, John Cannon, Jason Cheney, Jacob Cheney, Will Combs, and Gary Giles.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Cheney Memorial Baseball Scholarship, Community Trust Foundation, 112 Baltimore Street, Suite 201, Cumberland, MD 21502; New Covenant United Methodist Church, Cumberland, MD; or Blooming Rose United Methodist Church, Friendsville, MD.