On July 31 ,1933, Lorene Joyce Evans was born to Amelia Mae and MW (Dutch) Evans in Burkburnett, TX. Soon after, the family, which included older sister Evelyn, moved to NE Texas outside of Longview. The family eventually expanded to include Linda, Milton and Robert. Dutch worked in the oil fields and Amelia Mae stayed home with the children. Lorene and her siblings attended Judson Schools where she graduated in 1951.
In 1952, Lorene married LaVerle Carrington and they lived between Diana and Gilmer, not far from Longview. In 1957, they welcomed their first child, daughter Sherri on New Years Day. They moved to Henderson, where they welcomed son Terry in March, 1958.
In 1961, LaVerle was called to be the Assoc. Pastor at Epworth United Methodist Church in OKC. While there, LaVerle and Lorene learned sign language and became involved with the deaf community attending Epworth. Soon after, The United Methodist Conference appointed LaVerle as their head of Deaf Ministry for the UMC of Oklahoma. He and Lorene traveled the state of Oklahoma, interpreting and ministering to the deaf community.
In 1964, the family became complete with the birth of their second son, Cary. Each Sunday, the family traveled to a different part of the state. It became apparent that there was a need for an interpreter more often than once a month, so LaVerle might travel to Tulsa/Bartlesville, while Lorene was in Elk City/Frederick. Together they would publish a monthly newsletter in addition to interpreting for doctor appts, court appearances, job interviews and anything a deaf person might need help with. Their dual deaf ministry continued until they divorced in 1973, but Lorene continued working for the UMC with the deaf ministry.
On Nov. 23, 1975, Lorene married JR Wolf in OKC. She helped JR with the books for his business, Bentley Gafford, which was in the Stockyards in OKC. She inherited four more children, Dale, Ray, Tracey and Cheryl and from her seven children, she became Mimi to 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
On Aug. 21, 2020, Lorene was called to join the heavenly choir. Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Evelyn, Linda and Robert, and son Ray Wolf. She is survived by her husband, JR Wolf of Bethany, OK, her daughter Sherri (George) McDowell of Kansas City, MO, son Terry (Sherry) Carrington of Granbury, TX, son Cary (Karen) Carrington of Burleson, TX, son Dale (Jimmika) Wolf of OKC, daughter Tracey (Rob) Saunders of OKC, daughter Cheryl (Billy) Moore of Pegram, TN, brother Milton (Diane) Evans of Longview, TX, twelve grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Viewing will be Thursday, 9am-9pm with family present from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams. Celebration of Life will be Friday, August 28, 2:00pm at the Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City with interment in Texas on Saturday, August 29.
The service will be recorded by Mercer-Adams and available to watch on this obituary page a few hours after services conclude.
Visitation with Family Present
Mercer-Adams Funeral Service
Thursday, August 27, 2020
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
3925 North Asbury Avenue
Bethany, Oklahoma 73008
Viewing 9am-9pm at Mercer-Adams
Funeral Service
Church of the Servant
Friday, August 28, 2020
2:00 PM
14343 N MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142
Graveside Service
New Summerfield Cemetery
Saturday, August 29, 2020
2:00 PM
7078 Tryon Road
Longview, TX 75605
Next to the Summerfield United Methodist Church