Obituaries

Dorotha Lorene Black Lotridge, age 94 years, was promoted to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, July 28, 2022.  She was surrounded by her loving family in her last days. Lorene was a longtime resident of Richardson, TX until moving to Tulsa, OK in 2017 to live with her daughter, Joanna.  Lorene and her husband, Bob Lotridge, Sr., were active members of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church during their 51 years in Richardson. 

Lorene had a significant impact on the lives of her family.  Her special bond with her granddaughters was unequaled.  As she was fond of saying regarding her granddaughters, she was low in quantity but high in quality.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert D. Lotridge, Sr., her daughter-in-law, Randall Gwenyth Jones Lotridge (wife of Robert Jr.), and Major Steven C. Beaulieu (husband of Jessica).

Lorene is survived by her sons Robert D. Lotridge, Jr. of The Woodlands, TX and Stanley W. Lotridge of Frisco, TX, and her daughter, Joanna Lotridge Pickard (Tom) of Tulsa, OK. In addition, Lorene is survived by her granddaughters Lt. Col. Jessica A. Lotridge of Colorado Springs, CO and Chandler W. Lotridge Bundren (John) of Fort Worth, TX. 

Lorene was the youngest child of 12 born to Henry Warren Black and Joanna Belle Graves Black in the Redbird Community of Montgomery County, AR on March 15, 1928.  Her great grandparents homesteaded on the South Fork of the Ouachita River circa 1870. 

After the US Forest Service purchased much of the Redbird Community’s land,  the family relocated to Norman, AR on the Caddo River, buying a farm on Huddleston Creek.  Soon after the move to Norman, Lorene’s father died when she was three. Her mother, Belle, was assisted in raising her by her 8 surviving older brothers and sisters who remained remarkably close their entire lives.  Her numerous nieces and nephews were like her little brothers and sisters and have always been a significant part of her life.

Graduating from Norman High School in 1945 as Valedictorian, Lorene received her degree from Arkansas College (now Lyons College) in Batesville, AR.  She was influenced personally and the beneficiary of the work of Rev. John T. Barr of whom Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman is named. Dr. Barr was a pioneer in providing educational opportunities in the Quachita Mountains prior to the establishment of public schools.

She was the first of her family to earn a college degree.  Several nieces and nephews followed her path to Arkansas College. Her older brother, Gene, was in college at Arkansas A&M when WWII began, but left school for pilot training where he died in a training accident. She met her husband, Bob, in college and they married in 1950.  Bob was part of the wave of WWII veterans filling the colleges and universities after the war.  After graduation, Lorene taught business studies at Cushman High School near Batesville as Bob finished his college requirements.  Later, they both taught at Hickory Ridge, AR for two years where their son Robert Jr. was born, and then Vanduser, MO.

When Bob made a career change and went to work for DuPont in Louisville, KY, the family moved to New Albany, IN and then Sellersburg, IN. Lorene used her business teaching degree working as a bookkeeper for a Louisville firm as their family grew from one boy to another, with the birth Stanley. Bob became involved with Boys Clubs of America in Louisville while working for DuPont. This led to him being offered the opportunity to open a new Boys Club in Magnolia, AR.

With the move to Magnolia, Lorene and Bob added a girl, Joanna, to complete their family of five.  Lorene was very active in the Garden Club, Boys Club Auxiliary, Newcomers Club, and the First Presbyterian Church.  She supported Bob in his position as Director of the Boys Club and nurturing their three growing children.  She kept her skills through substitute teaching and bookkeeping positions. True to her roots, Lorene was always, canning berries, fruit, and beans.  She was an excellent and creative cook.  Her children all learned how to pick blackberries, strawberries, muscadine grapes, plums, and how to snap beans and shell peas.  They also learned that she always had their backs, regardless of the circumstance.  Lorene never wavered when it came to supporting her children.

Bob was offered the Directorship of the El Paso, TX Boys Clubs and accepted the challenge. One year later, he was offered a management position with Boys Clubs of America which led the family to move to Dallas, and later to Richardson, TX, in 1966.

Beginning in Dallas, Lorene worked as a bookkeeper for the Shakey’s Pizza franchise, which was very popular with her children and their friends!  She later joined General American Oil Company for many years before retiring as a bookkeeper for SVI Property Management.

Their home at 501 Dover was known for Lorene’s beautiful flowers that graced the corner lot. A gifted gardener, she, and Bob enjoyed the compliments of the neighbors and those passing by. 

Lorene’s duties as a dance, football, track, swimming, baseball, Cub Scout and Blue Bird mom, primary proofreader of school papers, and official cheerleader of her children’s activities kept her on the go.  She remained active in Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church serving in several leadership positions. 

Lorene was an avid reader, enjoyed bridge, and her women’s bible class. She loved to travel whether it was a grand adventure or exploring locally with her family and siblings.  The time spent with family at her beloved cabin along the Caddo River in Arkansas created many special memories.  Season tickets to the Dallas Summer Musicals, museums, historical sites, and gardens large and small were a great pleasure to her. After Bob had a bout with cancer, Lorene volunteered one year to Co-Chair the American Cancer Society fundraiser for Richardson. 

Lorene lived the life of the greatest generation, losing a brother in the war and being a part of the tranformation from rural America to the urban America we know today. Her faithfulness to Jesus Christ and her steadfast love for her family, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews is her legacy.

A memorial service will be held in Norman, AR on October 8, 2022 at Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Lorene will be laid to rest a few miles from where she was born, along the South Fork of the Ouachita River.  She will join five generations of loved ones at Gaston Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations for Barr Memorial Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 7, Norman, AR 71960  and/or  the Gaston Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 942, Mt Ida, AR 71957 would be greatly appreciated.

Jane Camille (Richards) Campbell was born on April 18, 1944 in Midland, Texas, to Emory (Mack) McCloud Richards and Doris Virginia (Yandel) whom have both predeceased her.  At the time she had an older brother, Larry Mack Richards (predeceased) who was her best friend and playmate due to the remoteness of their home in a rural area outside of Midland.  She has two other brothers, Guy Mack Richards of Midland and Drew Mack Richards of Dallas.  Jane attended Midland Public Schools and in later years, Lubbock ISD and Abilene ISD where her family moved for job opportunities.  Her first two college years were at McMurry College in Abilene, attending there with her brother Larry, after his stint in the US Army.  For her final college years, she attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.  She met her husband-to-be, Marvin Franklin “Tim” Campbell in Civics class at Abilene High School, where they both graduated in 1962. After dating for 5 years, Jane and Tim were married on August 20, 1966.  They moved to Dallas after graduation, where Tim began graduate studies in engineering, and she began her teaching career at Brian Adams High School in the Dallas ISD. During her career, she was a talented and recognized teacher, having taught in preschools, elementary and high school levels.  She received two Teacher of the Year awards, one from an association for the support of learning-disabled children, and the Richardson ISD Rise Foundation Award, following her work in the creation and development of RISD’s Elementary Math, Science and Technology (MST) magnet school.

Jane is survived by her Husband, Tim, of Garland, TX, son Todd Campbell and wife Colleen Ximenes, and daughter Madeline; her daughter Paige Clancy, her husband Daniel Clancy, and daughters Caroline and Courtney of Kennesaw, GA.  She is also survived by her brothers Drew and wife Julie, and her brother Guy and his family wife Renee; nephew Luke Richards and wife Ellen, and children Lance, Tracy, and Derrick of Midland; niece Ashley Richard and children Mack and Marley of Port Aransas; niece Shannon Maddux, husband Jeremy Maddux, and children Bryley, Forrest, Lane and Easton of San Antonio, Texas.

For funeral information see the Restland Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hope Clinic in Garland, TX, or to Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson, TX.

Click here to view the service.

Lillian Lane St. John, 98, our beloved Mom, Grandmommy and GG, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2022.  She was born September 14, 1923 in Bainbridge, Georgia to Joel Chapman Lane and Agnes Moore Lane.  Lillian grew up in Bainbridge and was a southern girl to her core.  After graduation from business school, Lillian worked for the commander of the air base in Carrabelle, Florida where she met the love of her life, Edward M. (Buck) St. John on February 7, 1943. They married 3 months later on May 9, 1943.  Buck was deployed to WWII in Europe, and their first daughter, Peggy, was born in Bainbridge while Buck was overseas.  After the war, they moved to Texas where they made their home for the next 78 years.  They lived in Corsicana, (where their son, Edward was born), Garland, Greenville, Sherman (where their daughter, Susan was born), Wichita Falls and Richardson - and were actively involved in church and community in each town. Lillian loved her church, bridge clubs, Stitch and Bitch group, Circle, the Texas Reelers Square Dance Club, Network of Community Ministries, Meals on Wheels, Austin College, Mo Ranch, Lighthouse for the Blind, sponsoring refugee families, making sandwiches for Austin Street Shelter, Jordan Speith, summer trips to the beach, sharing her famous fudge pie with friends, watching golf, and her family.  Family and church were the cornerstones of Lillian’s life.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 68 years, Buck, her son, Edward and daughter-in-law, Sue, and her brother, Joe Lane, Jr.  She is survived by daughters, Peggy Buccy and Susan Ord (husband Ken).  Grandchildren Jay Buccy (Tiffany), Jett Buccy, Jennifer Saenz (Oscar), Beth Daines (Nick), Coleman Ord (Ashley), Cade Ord (Kelsey), 11 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held to honor Lillian at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 1:00 PM.  You are welcome to dress casual and wear golf shirts in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church or Network of Community Ministries in Richardson.

Click here to view service.

William (Bill) Albert Nevill died at the age of 93 in Plano, Texas on May 20, 2022 from complications following a stroke.  He was born on January 1, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the only son of Irwin Nevill and Marie Barker Nevill.  Bill’s childhood was defined by the Great Depression and World War II.  He was an excellent student and graduated from Indianapolis Howe High School in 1947, with activities including sports team manager, science club and newsletter.

After High School, Bill entered Butler University in Indianapolis, graduating magna cum laude in 1951 with a B.S.  He was then accepted into the doctoral program of California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and received his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1954, working as a graduate assistance to Dr. Linus Pauling, who later won two Nobel Prizes.

Immediately following college, Bill was drafted into the US Army and served two years, later transitioning to the Army Reserve with many years of active duty in Virginia, retiring as a full Colonel.  He was employed as a research chemist with Proctor & Gamble and worked on the team that invented Crest toothpaste in 1955.

Most of Bill’s career was spent in academia.  He was chairman of the Chemistry department at Grinnell College in Iowa from 1956 to 1967.  Moving back to the Indianapolis area, he taught classes at Indiana-Purdue University (IUPUI) and moved through the administrative ranks, rising to become Dean of the School of Science and Director of Graduate Studies by 1983.  He also was an arbitrator for the Indiana Employment Relations board.  After that, his family moved to Shreveport where he became Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Louisiana State University (LSUS), eventually retiring in 1994.  He was a life-long member of the American Chemical Society and served as section secretary, counselor and chairman at various times.  He served on multiple foundation boards in Indiana and received research grants from the Eli Lilly Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research for his Ph.D. dissertation, and National Institute of Health for leukemia research at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Bill and Nancy retired to Wintergreen, Virginia after leaving Shreveport.  Bill loved working in his garden and caring for various new plantings at the Nature Foundation of Wintergreen.  He also donated his time to provide chemistry demonstrations at local schools and served as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for child custody cases in his county, for which he won an outstanding achievement award.

The Presbyterian church was Bill’s home for almost his entire life, including Second Presbyterian in Indianapolis, First Presbyterian in Shreveport, Rockfish Presbyterian in Nellysford, VA, and Canyon Creek Presbyterian in Richardson, TX. Along with his wife, he supported various committees, served as Elder, and was chosen to represent the local Presbytery at a few national General Assembly meetings. 

Most recently, Bill was an active member of the Highland Springs community in Dallas, Texas.  He was a member of the garden club, chess club and supported a number of prayer and Bible study groups.  His legacy there is a beautiful garden plot with gladiolas and roses, his favorite flowers.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (House) in 1978 and his beloved wife of 43 years, Nancy (Neiman) in February 2022.  He is survived by children Paul, John, Steven, Anne, and Deborah, 11 grandchildren, and 3 1/2 great-grandchildren.      

Patsy passed on to heaven April 25, 2022 after a 9-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her survivors are her devoted husband of 68 years, Dennis; her daughter Deborah Lott and husband Jay; her grandchildren, Haley Poss and husband Kyle, Jake Springer, Laynie Ogilvie, her husband Daniel, and Gracie Lott; her great grandchildren, Charlotte, Annie and Noah Poss, Witt and Austin Ogilvie; nieces, Amanda Ashford, Sue Parker and Toni Ferrel; nephew John Ashford and wife Cathy, and numerous grand nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth and Charles Davis; her sisters Betty and Mary Lou; her nephew Mike; and her daughter Cyndi Blankinship Springer.

Patsy grew up in Texarkana and Conroe Texas. She had a full, rich and wonderful childhood. She had a passion for nature, swimming, books, art, and music. During high school she was in the concert and marching bands playing both the french horn and the drums. She remained close friends with many of her childhood, high school, and band member friends for her entire life. She joined the swim team where she became a competitive diver. She even enjoyed one year as a local beauty queen.

Patsy entered the University of North Texas where she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She left college early so she could marry Dennis when he graduated and before he had to serve in the Air Force. They later moved to Richardson where they raised their daughters and spent most of their lives.

Patsy was a devoted wife and mother. She brought the classics to life for Cyndi and Debbie.  She instilled her love of nature, swimming, poetry, writing, books, music, art, and her creative spirit and motherly magic into her girls' hearts and minds. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, member of the DAR, ZTA alumnus, Patio Artists, Richardson Junior League, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, and numerous book clubs. She became an accomplished watercolor artist and teacher. Some of her paintings still hang on the walls of some of the finest homes in the area.

Patsy later served on the Board of Directors for Keyston Oil and Gas. She spent many years helping to manage the company's oil, gas, and landholding interest.  Patsy loved to travel. She traveled to Europe several times and other interesting parts of the world.  Patsy went back to school in the early 80's and earned her BA in Art History from the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Patsy had a gift of making every everyone she knew feel special.  She was like another mother to many of Cyndi and Debbie's friends.  Whether it was just bandaging and kissing boo boos, or brainstorming for classroom projects, Patsy was always open, available and enthusiastic.  Her faith in God, her "can do" spirit, sweet smile and joyous laughter will be forever burned into the hearts of all who loved her.  We rejoice now in her life well lived. She was a devout Christian And is now happily kneeling at the feet of Jesus.