Lorazell Tate, 92, of Walnut Ridge, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born February 13, 1933, in Walnut Ridge to the late Homer and Gladys (Bettis) Sharp. She was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Tate on July 4, 1951, in Walnut Ridge. She was employed as a dental assistant for Dr. Harold Willmuth for over 20 years. Lorazell was an active member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge. She loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports, quilting, and attending church activities. She and Bob enjoyed traveling in their motor home and the many friends they met along the way, and spending their winters in Texas during their retirement years.
In addition to her parents, Lorazell was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; and siblings, Russell Sharp, Ovita Davis, and Janice Cook.
She is survived by her children, Rick Tate (Kelly) of Imboden, Cindy Abbott (Danny) of Hoxie, and Danny Tate of Walnut Ridge; siblings, Bonnie Byers (Dean) of Georgia and Connie Gipson of Walnut Ridge; grandchildren, Chelsea Matheny (Ty), Mark Byrd (Christian), and Marti Bradley (Seth); great-grandchildren, Hayden Matheny, Tate Matheny, Presley Matheny, Arlo Byrd, Blakelynn Bradley, Wren Bradley, and Maybri Bradley; her church family; and several other special family members and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge with funeral services immediately following at 3 p.m. Tim Campbell and Chuck Fitzgerald will officiate. Interment will follow in Lawrence Memorial Park under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Lorazell’s nephews, Keith Sharp, Shane Cook, Shawn Cook, Steve Gipson, Chris Gipson, Ryan Byers, and Scott Byers.