Surrounded by her adoring family, Annie Lorene Foxworth Harper passed from this life to her eternal reward on April 13, 2012. She was 86 years old and had fought a courageous, determined battle against breast cancer since 2002. Lorene is now reunited with her beloved first husband, L. G. Foxworth the father of their five children and O. C. (Goose) Harper, the husband of her middle and senior years.
Lorene was born on February 14, 1926, to John and Fannie Overstreet in Warren, Texas. Her older sister, Bertha Westbrook (Buna), preceded her in death. Their younger sister, Louise Bottoms, of Jewett, Texas, survives her two older sisters.
Lorene became Mrs. L. G. Foxworth when she was only 15 years old. After a few years, the young couple settled in Port Neches, Texas, and raised a family of five children all who survive her: (1) Daughter: Shirley Dougher and her husband John (Port Neches) along with son Michael Faulkner (Lumberton) and his children, Alex and Logan; and son Lance Faulkner, his wife Kim (Orangefield) and their children, Liam and Presley. (2) Daughter: Myrtle Broussard and her husband Floyd (Port Neches) along with their daughter Sonya Squyres, her husband Gary (Tomball); daughter Theresa Fukuda, her husband Paul (Bridge City) and their children, Ashleigh, Alyssa, and Aiden; son Kent Broussard, his wife Susan (Conroe) and their children, Ty and Taryn. (3) Son: Larry Foxworth and his wife Wanda (Austin) and their daughter Tangela Bailey, her husband Matt (Austin) and their children, August and Crue. (4) Son: David Foxworth and his wife Carol (Magnolia) and their children, Nicole Stahl, her husband Austin (Tomball) and their sons, Tyler and Travis; and daughter Robyn Foxworth and Robert Gentry (Austin). (5) Daughter: Brenda Dower and her husband Charlie (Livingston).
L.G. died of a heart attack when he was 47 years old and Lorene became a widow at age 44. Three years later, she married a childhood friend, O. C. (Goose) Harper and moved from Port Neches to Village Mills. They had in a spacious home in the woods that always overflowed with friends and family. Goose died of cancer in January 2000. His survivors were his widow, Lorene, and his son Randy Harper, wife Laura, and sons Max and Jacob.
Lorene was always happiest when she was cooking and entertaining her family and her many friends. She was a fabulous cook and could whip up the most mouth-watering entrees and desserts! Her gift was serving others, always with her sweet smile and generous heart. She loved playing dominos and cards and had many evenings of playing games and eating delicious snacks at her home. She was always in the middle of happy activities, usually as the hostess. Family celebrations were frequent and fun at the farm.
Lorene was a member of the First Baptist Church in Port Neches as a young mother; and a member of the First Baptist Church in Warren as a senior adult. She loved her church and served in every way possible. She loved hearing the Word preached; she was a great fan of gospel, country, and bluegrass music and attended concerts with her friends whenever possible.
As her cancer took a toll on her physical abilities, Lorene moved from her country home to a comfortable apartment at The Gardens in Livingston, where she lived for the last 2-1/2 years of her life. Despite cancer and other medical issues over the last several years, Lorene never gave in or gave up. Her optimism, good nature, and kindness overcame much adversity. She was a woman of faith; the heart and cornerstone of her large, adoring family. With dignity and grace, she set an example for mothers, wives, grandmothers, friends. She was a genuine hero. She will be missed, but remembered always with joy and love.
The family wishes to thank the beautiful staff, nurses and aides from The Gardens in Livingston and the caregivers from Lighthouse Hospice who provided compassionate, tender care during our mothers last weeks.
There will be a gathering of family and friends on Monday, April 16th from 5:00 till 8:00 at Farmers Funeral Home, Silsbee. (416 North 4th St., Silsbee). The funeral services to celebrate this amazing woman will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17th at the First Baptist Church, Warren (11645 Hwy 69S) with Brother Troy Richardson officiating. Interment will follow at the Village Mills Cemetery, where Lorene will be laid to rest between the two remarkable men in her life, L. G. Foxworth and O. C. Harper. Pallbearers will be the grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7
