NEL LORENZ

Nel (Abernathy) Lorenz passed away peacefully on February 11, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Nel was born on April 23, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas to Margaret (Abernathy) Morriss and Oscar Abernathy. She attended the University of Arkansas where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and graduated from Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University) with a degree in education. She loved teaching children at Pleasant Grove Elementary School and Spring Lake Park Elementary School in Texarkana. Nel met Dr. David Lorenz in Texarkana while he was working as a dentist in the U.S. Public Health Service and they were married on August 7, 1960 in her mother’s home. The newlyweds moved to the City of Selma, CA where Dr. Lorenz had an established dental practice.

Nel’s family was the center of her life and her greatest joy. Nel and David had two children, Jill and David, Jr. The family took many trips together both within the U.S. and in Europe. Nel was also active in several charitable and volunteer organizations, including the Selma Guild of the Valley Children’s Hospital, the Junior League of Fresno, the Salvation Army, and the Fresno Juvenile Hall. Nel was an amazing cook who also loved to work in her garden and enjoy the family cats. She was known for her kind and generous spirit, her Southern hospitality and wonderful sense of humor. She believed in seeing the good in everyone she met.

Nel is survived by her husband of 58 years, David Robert Lorenz, her daughter Jill Lorenz, her son David Robert Lorenz, Jr. and his wife Raina Lorenz, her granddaughter Elizabeth Riley Lorenz, and her sister Margaret Harrell. Our gratitude goes out to Adventist Health Hanford and St. Mary’s Hospice, and Robin McDonald and Wyman Jolliff. Graveside services will be held on February 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Floral Memorial Cemetery in Selma, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army USA.