Loree Annie Tatum Olinghouse

On Monday May 29, 2012, after 89 fruitful years, Loree Annie Tatum Olinghouse closed the final chapter of her life in Little Rock, AR and moved on to spend eternity with her personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband Phil Olinghouse, Sr. and her sister, Maree Tatum Cross. She is survived by her son and his wife, Phil and Penny Olinghouse, her daughter and her husband, Pam and John Holm and five grandchildren, Lacey and Jay Caldwell, Tate Olinghouse, Katie Holm and Jordan Holm. Of great importance to Loree, she is also temporarily leaving her five great-grandchildren who will remember she thought of them often, always arrived with a special treat and was known to them simply as "O," Stella, Kennedy, Virginia and Campbell Caldwell and Beck Olinghouse. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ms. Georgia Olinghouse and her dedicated friends including Hilda Hudland, Carolyn Harmon and Hazel Waters. Loree was born to Lester and Annie Tatum in Noble, La. She was a product of strong family and her values were forged by her experience in the Great Depression. She was very proud of her family and was fond of telling how her family's general store almost "went broke" giving away goods to those who were needy during that most challenging time. This was a lesson in life she carried to the end. She was intelligent and attended Northwestern State University. Upon moving to Arkansas she wed her husband for 46 years and demonstrated her deep love through her dedicated care for him in his final years. All during this time she was a strong working woman, notably, she spent over 15 years at the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 50 years and active in the Phebean Sunday School Class. She loved to play bridge, where she viewed herself as quite the talented player. Loree's friends would describe her as the seemingly ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life with her main goal being to serve the Lord. She was always doing kind things for others and nothing brought her more joy than giving. She was an excellent cook, with a talent for hospitality. In addition, she blessed all who knew her with an outstanding, unforgettable sense of humor. If ever a verse was appropriate for Loree at this time it would be 2nd Timothy Ch4, v7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." A special debt of gratitude is expressed from Loree's family to the staff and caregivers at Briarwood Nursing Home. The funeral service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church on Thursday May 31st at 12 noon and officiated by Dr. Rex Horne. Family will receive visitors at Ruebel Funeral Home on Markham from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send memorials to the Immanuel Baptist Church building Fund. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.