Lorene George

Lorene George, 99, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at St. Bernard’s Villa on May 5, 2025. Born June 1, 1925, in Birmingham, Alabama, she was the seventh of thirteen children born to Ferris and Annie Ritchey. A woman of unwavering faith and boundless love, Lorene lived a long and fulfilling life, leaving behind a legacy of family, generosity, and devotion.

Lorene’s life was centered around her family. She was a gifted cook, renowned for her Sunday dinners that effortlessly fed her large family and always resulted in ample leftovers for everyone to take home. She is survived by her brother, Albert Ritchey; sister, Elizabeth Boackle; sister-in-law, Elaine Ritchey; and her four children: Rosanne (Chuck) Duncan, Joe (Peggy) George, Judy LaRussa, and Becky (Barry) Ford. She also leaves behind five grandchildren; Charles Duncan, Bridget (Jim) Shemwell, Sheri (Jeremy) Martin, Lena (Jack) Wells, and Brett (Lindsey) Ford; and two great-grandchildren, Ariel and Valerie Martin who lovingly knew her as “Siti.” She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred; a son, Gordon Allen George; a granddaughter, Lola Rose Martin; four sisters; six brothers;  and her son-in-law, Frank LaRussa.

Lorene was a devout Catholic, attending daily Mass and actively participating in many church activities at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, including the Annual Fall Festival, where she diligently sold and collected food tickets. Her dedication to the church extended to maintaining the prayer candles and counting the Sunday collections. Beyond her faith, Lorene enjoyed playing cards and was a passionate fan of Razorback basketball.

In her later years, Lorene resided at St. Bernard’s Villa assisted living, where her infectious spirit and musical talent brightened the lives of residents and staff alike. She often tapped her foot to music and sang, bringing joy to those around her. The family extends special thanks to her dedicated caregivers, Annabel Rodriguez, Pam Garey, and Kimberly Craig.

Funeral services, provided by Emerson Funeral Home, will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1107 E. Highland Dr. on Friday, May 9, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by the Rosary and Funeral Mass. Burial will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund in Lorene’s memory. To sign an online guestbook, please visit emersonfuneralhome.com.