of Batesville, AR

January 27, 1928 - May 8, 2015

Mary Lorene Richardson, née Miller, died in Batesville on May 8, 2015, after a rapid decline in her battle with recurrent breast cancer. She was 87 years old.

Lorene was born on Jan. 27, 1928 in Zion to the late William Edward and Tennie Victoria (Taylor) Miller. She grew up on the family farm, attended Melbourne High School, and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1946. Afterward, she attended and graduated from Capital City Business College in Little Rock, and began working for Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in the same city. In 1957 she renewed an acquaintance with then-1st Lt. Willie R. ''Bill'' Richardson, USAF, a MHS classmate, and they were married in November of that year. The couple moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and subsequently to Higley, Arizona, and Alexandria, Louisiana, as part of Bill's Air Force career. After his retirement, Bill and Lorene moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1969, where they lived for 42 years. They returned to northern Arkansas in 2011, ultimately settling in Batesville. Lorene was a homemaker and mother, a faithful church member, and a children's Sunday school teacher for many years. She was a long-time member of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Memphis, and a current member of Calvary Baptist Church in Batesville.

Lorene is survived by her son Ray E. Richardson (Nanette) of Herndon, Virginia, and three grandchildren, Philip M. Richardson (Katherine) of Chantilly, Virginia, Meredith C. Richardson of Dresden, Germany, and Rebecca E. Richardson of Herndon, a brother, Wesley Miller of Sage, Arkansas, a brother-in-law, John E. Richardson of Portland, Oregon, a sister-in-law, Lera Richardson of Oklahoma City, as well as numerous younger relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a brother, and an infant sister.

The funeral will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 15, 2015, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home with Rev. Bo Grace of Broadmoor Baptist officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Philip Richardson, Douglas Miller, Daniel Miller and Lee Harris. Honorary pallbearers will be Wesley Miller, John Bennett, John Guthrie, and Harold Wilson.

Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Zion Cemetery Association, c/o Brenda Marlin, 173 Zion Road, Sage, AR 72573, the American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72207 or a charity of the donor's choice.

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