Rosemary Elizabeth Lamar

Rosemary Elizabeth was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 10th, 1925 to Buford and Lillian Mitchell. She was raised in New Orleans in Orleans parish along with 3 younger sisters, Joyce, Lorraine and Joan. After graduating from Sacred Heart of Jesus High School on Canal St., she was employed at Harris Furniture Store in downtown New Orleans. During World War II, while attending a U.S.O. dance, Rosemary met the love of her life, Bill “Bud” Lamar, who was a Medic in the U.S. Navy. After a brief courtship, they were married on June 3rd, 1944. She remained in New Orleans while Bill continued his service. On a couple of occasions, Rosemary was able to travel by train to Seattle, Washington to be with him.

Her life as a Mother began when she gave birth to the first of six children, Marlene Ann, while in New Orleans. After the War ended, the 3 of them moved to Memphis, TN, Bill’s hometown. While in Memphis, Rosemary worked for an Architecture firm in downtown Memphis until giving birth to twins, Deborah Katherine and William Proctor, Jr. In 1951, they moved to Greenwood, MS, in order for Bill to further his career with Lilly News Company, Inc. While there, Rosemary gave birth to Mark Laurence then Lisa Kay adding to their budding family. From there, they moved to Blytheville, AR for a few years. In 1961, with 5 children in tow, they finally settled in Jonesboro, where their last child, Dana Michelle was born. They remained in Jonesboro for the next 49 years.

Bud and Rosemary attended Blessed Sacrament Church where they made many life-long friends and raised their family. They often traveled to see family, went on family vacations and took annual pilgrimages to New Orleans for many years.
Rosemary will be remembered as a beautiful, sweet, soft-spoken woman devoted to her immediate and extended family. She was extremely generous, always giving and sharing her love and gifts with her children and grandchildren. When Bud, her life-long companion and devoted husband left this world, most predicted Rosemary would not be far behind so they could continue their journey together.

Survivors include her six children, Marlene Lamar and her husband Tony Klepitch of Little Rock, Debbe Sandin and her husband Dave of Maumelle, William Lamar and his wife Zoe of Little Rock, Mark Lamar and his wife Julia of Jonesboro, Lisa Riahi of Little Rock, and Dana Lamar and her husband William Brown of Fayetteville. And grandchildren: Stephanie Henn, Emily Durney, Ryan and Alex Jones, Aaron Biard, Matthew and Mallory Sandin, Allison Fields, Jason and Dylan Lamar, Rachel Riahi and 14 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Father Jack Vu and Deacon Vic Stepka officiating. Private burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund.