BENTON — Gene Green Tedford,
of Benton, Arkansas, passed from the arms of her family into the arms of Jesus on May 7, 2020.
She was 86 years old.
Lonnie Gene was born October 6, 1933 to Charles and Evaline Green of Bauxite. She grew up there with her brothers, Hugh and Dale. She played basketball for the Miners, was a cheerleader and editor of the Bauxite Miner Journal and was valedictorian of the 1951 Class of Bauxite High School. There she met her “honey,” Ray Tedford, and they shared 67 wonderful years together.
Gene and Ray were charter members of Highland Heights Baptist Church. Gene served faithfully as Sunday School Secretary and Church Clerk, loved singing in the choir, playing pitcher on the church softball team, and loved rocking babies in the nursery. After working for many years, Gene retired as an Accountant with Arkansas Electric Cooperatives. After retirement she cared for her mother until 1994, and then later cared for her husband, Ray, from 2009 until 2017. Her greatest joy was her home and her family. Her love was unmatched and unconditional. She was a precious gift from God.
Gene was a woman of great love, integrity, and strength. She loved sports of all kinds, but especially Razorback Basketball and St. Louis Cardinals Baseball. She was very competitive in cards and dominoes, was an avid reader, and collected lighthouses, leaves, and milkglass. She also worked a few (hundred) jigsaw puzzles!
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray, her granddaughter, Morgan Mize, and her great-granddaughter, Maddie Mize. Gene is survived and always remembered by her children, Shelley Mize (John) of Houston, Texas, Gary Tedford (Susan) of Benton, and Laura McGhee (Tony) of North Little Rock; her grandchildren, Megan Campos (Nathan) of Austin, Texas, Danielle White (Matt) and Erin Calaway (Andrew) both of North Little Rock, Amy Harrison (Bobby) of Monrovia, California, Josh Mize of Houston, Texas, Dustin Rhodes (Ashley) and Rindi Rhodes, both of Benton; 13 great-grandchildren, Cade Campos, Jace Cook, Abe Harrison, Samuel Harrison, Simone Harrison, Helen White, Joni Calaway, Hannah Calaway, Winnie Gene Calaway, Gray Mize, Zoey Mize, Max Rhodes, and Ben Rhodes; and her brothers, Dale Green of Benton, Arkansas and Hugh Green (Norma) of Drasco, Arkansas; and Kitrina Fleeman, her “favorite” of all.
A Graveside Service will be Monday, May 11, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing must be practiced when in attendance. A time of Visitation will be Sunday, May 10, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, 6700 Alcoa Road, Benton. Please sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com ballard.