Pearlie Lorene Ethridge

PEARLIE LORENE (HAMLET) ETHRIDGE Lorene (Hamlet) Ethridge started her life with the lucky numbers of 7-7-11, and that luck continued for 97 years and 3 days. It really wasn't luck that kept her with us for so long, but rather determination, a strong will and good DNA! She passed away at 3:20am, Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Citizen's Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar, Missouri after a long illness. Hubert and Sarah Suzan (Hill) Hamlet of Dallas County were the parents of Lorene, who was the middle child of seven. Being caught in the middle, she clung to Grandma Hill's apron and relied on her thumb. Her mother claimed that she sucked her thumb until she was 10, of course, Lorene denied it. Lorene had two older brothers, Bert and Glen who preceded her in death, a younger brother Junior who preceded her in death and by two younger sisters, Lois Hamlet at age 19 and Doris Wright, who preceded her in death. Philip Hamlet is her only living brother of the seven Hamlet children. Lorene married Robert R. Ethridge on August 10, 1935 and from their 41 years of beautiful marriage came three children. Jerry Alan, Effie Suzan and Doris Joene. The family grew up around Halfway and finally settle "in town" in 1945. She and Bob raised their three children with unfettered love, and that continued all of their lives. Lorene's surviving family members are, Son Jerry Alan and wife Connie (Kirby) of Collierville, TN; Her two daughters, Suzan (Ethridge) Miller of Lee's Summit, MO and Joene (Jodi) (Ethridge) Wortman of Lee's Summit, MO; Her 8 Grandchildren, Richard Ethridge of Collierville, TN; Jeri Gail Grisham and husband Max of Collierville, TN; Brad and wife Paula Ethridge of Rogers, AR; Traci Silvey and husband Michael of Liberty, MO; twins, Ryan Miller and wife Jessica of Blue Springs, MO; Phillip Miller of Lee's Summit, MO; Erica Wortman of Lee's Summit, MO; and Nick Wortman of Nevada, MO. Her 12 Great Grandchildren, Evan Grisham and Kelsey Grisham of Collierville, TN; Laura and Tatum Ethridge of Rogers, AR; Spencer, Sophie and Sebastian Silvey of Liberty, MO; Valentina and Gwendolyn Miller of Blue Springs, MO; Morgan Miller of Lee's Summit, MO; and twins, Brooke and Brody Duncan of Lee's Summit, MO. Lorene received her second set of twins in her family, great grandchildren Brooke and Brody, born in March, 2008 and this 4th of July, Lorene held the twins on her lap for over an hour, smiling at her "little china Dolls". Lorene was also preceded in death by her husband Robert in August 1976. Lorene was an active member of the Halfway Christian Church for over 50 years until she became a member of the Bolivar First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, after her move to Bolivar in 1991. Lorene was devoted to the bible and had just finished reading the new testament (again) in March of 2008. As Lorene was raising her family, she also cultivated a bountiful garden, stitched beautiful quilt pieces, and wrung the heads of a few chickens. She was always busy doing something, but doing it productively, efficiently and proudly. Lorene was a person to admire. The love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are without words. Her sense of self, her determination and conviction to her beliefs kept her with us. Lorene's passion for a good card game, a well knitted hanger, and a spicy little romance novel stayed with her until the end. "Lorene, you are loved this moment and forever. You will be missed every single day. We were the lucky ones to have known and loved you". Your Family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Reverend Jerry Book officiating. Musical selections will be "How Great Thou Art", "In The Garden" and "One Day At A Time". Soloist will be Malinda Batten with Jobeth Maas as the pianist. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Louisburg, Missouri. Casketbearers will be Phillip Miller, Ryan Miller, Michael Silvey, Richard Ethridge, Bradley Ethridge and Nick Wortman. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00pm, Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the funeral home just prior to service time. The family suggests contributions to the First Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 416, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Pearlie Lorene Ethridge

July 7, 1911 - July 10, 2008