Lorene Shaw Willow, 92, was welcomed by Jesus as she joined her husband John, her parents, and all her brothers and sisters in Heaven on December 8, 2021, in Arlington, TX. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Jossie Lorene Shaw Willow was born on September 6, 1929, at home in Merit, TX. She was the 8 ^th child in a family of 9 children and the youngest girl. Lorene was full of joy and mischief and was adored by her siblings. She was always ready for the next adventure. Her son Mike says you could ask her, "Mama, do you want to go…" and she would say "Yes!" before you even told her where.

Lorene came from a family of sharecroppers. They worked hard for everything they ever got, but they were generous with what they had. She worked in the cotton fields as a child but needed to make a little spending money of her own. So, she sold the latest gossip on her older brothers and sisters to an older neighbor who lived up the street. He would trade her pennies for the latest scoop on the Shaw kids.

The family moved from Merit to Floyd when Lorene was in junior high. Then to Greenville where she graduated from Greenville High School in 1947. She married James Duncan in April of 1947. Her greatest desire was to be a mother and they had three children.

Lorene married John Willow in April of 1975 and soon took on her favorite role in life, that of Grandmama. Her children, grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she loved celebrating with her entire family. She was an amazing cook and was known for her fried chicken (the best ever) and her pecan cream pie, a recipe she created and made for special occasions throughout the years.

Lorene started her banking career at Casa Linda National Bank in Dallas and retired as Vice President from First City National Bank of Arlington. Through the years she was active in the Arlington Woman's Club, Encore, American Business Women's Association (ABWA), Arlington Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a Bunko group, and Loosey Goosey, a group of great friends that had so much fun just hanging out with each other.

Lorene is survived by her children, sons Mike (Donna) Duncan and David (Julie) Duncan and her daughter Dianne Duncan Posey; her grandchildren Chris (Amy) Duncan, Olivia (Levi) Hall, Erin Duncan, Kyle (Claire) Duncan; her great-grandchildren Ellianna, Micah, and Sarah Duncan; Cambri, Dylan, David, Summer, Hannah, Chloe, Bradley, and Max Hall; Kallie Jones (Blake Smith) and Madison Fitch; and her great-great-granddaughter Coraline Smith; her cousins Opal Shaw Thompson and Carolyn May Cole; along with many beloved nieces and nephews, and scores of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, John Willow; parents Simeon Eli and Jossie Joanna Shaw; 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at New World United Methodist Church at 2201 N. Davis Drive in Arlington, TX 76012.

Lorene was a strong, intelligent woman who will be remembered for her love, laughter, beauty, and her ability to light up a room by just walking into it.