Wednesday Update

Mrs. Lorena Pierce Clemons died peacefully in her sleep on September 10, 2012, in Amite, Louisiana; she was 96, born on June 28, 1916, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas. Mrs. Clemons was known as “Mrs. Lorena,” and “Momee.” She attended Arkansas A&M where she played college basketball. She met and married Mr. Clemons who was operating a sawmill near her hometown; in the aftermath of World War II, they moved the sawmill to Amite. Clemons Brothers Lumber Company had an immediate and significant impact on the city and the surrounding vicinity for five decades, during which time the couple was active in many facets of the local community. She was deeply involved in the First Baptist Church of Amite for many years in numerous capacities, including pastoral search committees, teaching Sunday School, Training Union, and Vacation Bible Schools. She was active in Cub Scouts, PTA, Care at Home (an early outreach to the less fortunate) as well as serving in various leadership roles and organizations to help others. She was an avid reader always interested in current events and an extensive traveler, journeying to many parts of the world. She loved gardening, and was well known for growing day lilies. Her flowers gave her and the many friends who came to visit great joy. Mrs. Clemons is survived by her children: M. LaMarr Clemons and his wife, Mary Ann of Amite; D. Gradon Clemons and his wife, Laura of Amite; Rebecca Clemons Olson and her husband, Joseph of Savannah, Georgia; and Martha Clemons Edwards of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including Madison Clemons, of Amite, Courtney Richard and her husband, Quinn and their son, Valex of New Orleans; David, Jr., Emily and Catherine Clemons of Amite; Laura Olson Christensen and her husband, Justin, and their children, Luke and Wes of New York, New York, and Eric Olson and his wife, Rachel, of Columbia, South Carolina; and Matthew, Pierce and Daniel Edwards of Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hurschel David (H.D.) Clemons, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Augustus Pierce, her brothers, Homer Leo Pierce and Atlas Augustus Pierce, her sister, Mabel Pierce Ollar, and her son-in law, John Joseph Edwards. The family wishes to give deep appreciation for the care given by Dr. Reginald H. Goldsby for many years, Hood Memorial Hospital and to Wilkinson Care Givers for the help they provided the last weeks of her life. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Amite, La., on Friday, September 14, 2012; visitation will be held from 8:30 am until 11:00 am, with services of the Celebration of her Life to begin at 11:00 am. Presiding over the services will be Reverend Ken Bowman and Reverend Mike Foster. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to First Baptist Church of Amite or First United Methodist Church of Amite or the H. D. and Lorena P. Clemons Scholarship Fund at Baylor University.