Obituaries

Emma Jean Lensing

Photo of Emma Jean Lensing
Emma Jean Burris Lensing, 80, of Little Rock died peacefully on Friday, December 13th, 2013 surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on May 12, 1933 in Arkadelphia, Ark., where she was a member of the First Baptist Church. As a teenager she enjoyed going to the movies, writing her favorite Hollywood movie stars and collecting autographed photos. She graduated early from Arkadelphia High School with the class of 1951 (where she spent many a day dancing away at the local Teenage Club). She went on to attend Henderson State University. After living in St. Petersburg, Florida and working for the Maas Brothers Department Store, she moved to Little Rock, where she met and married the love of her life Thomas A. Lensing. They were united in marriage at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Little Rock in 1956 and were parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. After working at both Blue Cross Blue Shield and Jacuzzi Brothers in Little Rock, she later worked over 30 years at the Better Business Bureau of Arkansas where she was recognized for her outstanding service and retired as Arbitration/ADR Director. She is survived by four children, Catherine Lensing Harper (husband, Paul) of Highland Park, Texas, Thomas "Bud" Lensing (wife, Kathe) of Albuquerque, N.M., Barbara Lensing of Little Rock and Eric Lensing (wife, Shelly) of Roland, Ark.; grandchildren, Leslie Clute, Emma Harper, Charles Harper, and Ava Lensing; and siblings, Mary Ann Rutherford, Bill Burris, and Wanda Cooksey. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas A. Lensing to whom she was married for 54 years, and her parents, George and Louise Burris of Arkadelphia, Ark. She loved walking, dancing, reading, and listening to music; she especially enjoyed Frank Sinatra, Elton John and Rod Stewart. She spent many hours following the trials and tribulations of All My Children, Dallas, and Gilmore Girls, and laughing at The Big Bang Theory. She was an exceptional cook and made the world's greatest Christmas cookies and pecan pies. She was happiest when she was with her family, and she was a totally dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved life and everyone who knew her loved her. She had the distinctive quality of being a totally selfless person. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Wednesday at 1 p.m. To honor Jean's generous spirit, the family requests during this holiday season that memorials be made to the charity of their choice. To sign her guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com. Arrangements made by Arkansas Funeral Care.

Published December 17, 2013

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