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Submitted: 11/10/14 • Approved: 11/10/14 • Last Updated: 11/13/14 • R1050790-G1050789-S3
May 25, 1921 - June 21, 2013
Obituary
Lorene McPherson lived a life of devotion to God first and to her family. Her unwavering faith clearly lit up a righteous path she followed through this world, strengthening her every step of the way.
Mrs. McPherson, 92, passed away June 21, 2013.
When "Granny" moved to Heber Springs she said, "I am never moving again!" She put her foot down, dug in, held tight and lived the next 49 years in a place she loved. If you knew Granny, you knew she was feisty and sometimes stubborn, funny, sarcastic, warm but would do anything for you. She was so talented and creative as a seamstress and was sought after for her fine work.
Perhaps you met her when she owned and operated McPherson's Grocery Store on Hwy 25. Or if you were lucky enough to work with her at Aeroquip, you were most likely mentioned in her retelling of funny work-related stories. A job some might find mundane, Granny enjoyed so much.
Much of Granny's "free" time while raising five children was devoted to her church work. She was an active member in the Church of Christ her entire life up to the point when her health did not allow. Lorene loved gardening and grew a large vegetable garden each year up into her 80's. Her canned goods are still famous, expecially her pickles. She liked to bowl and was in leagues even as a octogenarian. Granny enjoyed fishing from the banks of a pond and loved hearing the "hootenanny" music waft up from the park through the summer trees.
One of Granny's most endearing strengths was her ability to instill in her children the meaning of family. She loved us, raised us, then let us go. So we came back over and over and over multiple times yearly to reconnect with her and each other, to welcome our new additions to our ever-growing family, to laugh till we cried, to talk at the same time and too loudly, and to eat Granny's amazing home cooking. She has always been the glue holding us together, our lighthouse in the storms, our refuge, our heart, our home. We vow to honor her by continuing these vital traditions in memory of her life.
Ruby Lorene McPherson was born in Magness, AR on May 25, 1921.
She is survived by her loving children, James Franklin McPherson, Jr. (Linda), Carol Padgett (Wayne), Thresa Scott, Billy McPherson (Vicki), and Jackie McPherson (Vicki). She is also survived by one sister, Josephine Gardner; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by two grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 23 from 3-6 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Monday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. at Olmstead Chapel with Mr. Bruce Bryant officiating. Interment will follow in Heber Springs Cemetery.
Larry Poff, Jim Patchell, Sam Querry, Donald Elslander, Benny Hargrove, and Marvin Ogle will serve as pallbearers.
Contributed on 11/10/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1050790