Lorene Vail Fredieu

Lorene Vail Fredieu, formerly of Alexander, Ark., began her heavenly journey on December 9, 2019, and joined her husband, Loury, who died in 2013. Lorene was born October 5, 1924, in Gansville, Louisiana, to the late Edward and Edna Kelley Vail. She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, as well as a kind, generous person who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Lorene began her career as a telephone operator with the Southern Bell Telephone Company in 1942 and advanced to supervisor before retiring in 1981. She saw countless technology advances in what is now AT&T. After working with Southern Bell in Atlanta, Ga., Lorene transferred to Shreveport, La., where she met the love of her life, Loury Fredieu. They had 61 wonderful years together. Lorene and her sister, Edwenia, married brothers. Lorene and Loury were longtime, faithful members of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church and the Acts Sunday School Class since 1968. After retirement, Lorene served many years as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Lost Chord Club, helping her husband who had a laryngectomy. They visited high schools around the state sharing information on the harmful effects of smoking. She was a Life Member of AT&T Pioneers. Hobbies included gardening, birding, fishing, and camping with family. Always a gracious hostess and wonderful cook, Lorene loved preparing meals and entertaining family and friends. She generously shared recipes she created, and often took meals to friends who were ill or had a death in the family. Following their retirement, Lorene and Loury joined a travel club and enjoyed touring throughout the U.S. and Canada. Left to cherish her memory is her loving family; sisters, Edwenia Vail Fredieu of Tomball, Texas, and Linda Vail Holbert of Little Rock, AR; brothers, Bobby E. Vail (Faye) of Lufkin, Texas, and Donald E. Vail of Plano, Texas. Nieces and nephews, Dayna Fredieu Enderson (Van), Paula Fredieu, Loren Fredieu (Sara), Steve Holbert (Susan), Macey Vail Williams, Edward Vail, and great-nieces and nephews. The family expresses their deep gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Parkway Village Health Center and Baptist Health Hospice. A graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark., on Friday, December 13, 2019, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Baptist Children's Home, 10 Remington Dr., Little Rock, Ark., 72204, or your favorite charity.