September 14, 1926 – May 14, 2024
Lorene (Williams) Ashley, 97, of Bedford, passed away at 9:17 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at IU Health Hospital, Bedford, surrounded by family. She was born September 14, 1926, to Oscar and Cora (Tincher) Williams in Lawrence County. Lorene married Morris L. Ashley on October 27, 1945, and he preceded her in death on February 17, 1993.
Lorene had an infectious smile and was loved by everyone, and she loved them back. She always had kind words for everyone. Several of her children’s friends called her Mom, and she was called MawMaw by many. She was the Queen Bee of her family; her kids, grandkids, and great-great-grandkids loved spending time with her. She will be missed very much by all.
Lorene attended Bedford First (Turning Point) Church of the Nazarene. Her favorite things were playing Bingo (a few nights a week), Brownstown Races, and Wrestling. She went to work as a cook at the Hu Restaurant after her children were raised. She is survived by Eva Robbins, who she raised from the age of eight like her own; children, Linda(Jerry) Hawkins, Patty (Byron) Sanders, Larry (Linda) Ashley, Sheila (James) Tipton, Denny (Becky) Ashley and Randy (fiancé Lesley Sanders) Ashley; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 30 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Don Ashley; grandsons, Shannon Dale Rainey and Bobby Tipton; brothers Warren Williams, Harry Williams, Robert Williams, Clifford Williams, and Jesse Williams; sisters Dorothy McCart, Mary Sheeks, Maxine Hodges, and Betty Thomas; daughter-in-law, Jeanneta Ashley; and son-in-law, Bart Webber.
Funeral services for Lorene will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes, Bedford, with Millard Jones and James Radford officiating. Burial will follow at Beech Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., also at Ferguson-Lee Chapel.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FergusonLee.com.
