The last of the “Conley girls” has left our midst and will be sorely missed. Lora Fay Collier, 87 years old, died on Sunday, June 19, 2022, in her home in Piggott, Ark. She was born on Wednesday, April 17, 1935, to Doylis Odell Conley and Alma Marie (nee Baker) Conley in Pollard, Ark. She was the second of four daughters. Mrs. Dora Causey sat with her mother during the birth and was considered her godmother.

On Thursday, January 17, 1952, she was married to Arlin Calvin Howell by T.A. French, County Judge for Clay County, Ark. He predeceased her on Saturday, August 5, 2000. To their union their only child, a son, Michael Lynn Howell was born. She married Eugene “Gene” Collier on Monday, February 25, 2002, by Gary K. Howell, County Judge for Clay County, Ark., in Piggott. He predeceased her on April 10, 2017.

She was an employee of Brown Shoe in Piggott for 20 years before opening Lora’s Fabric Shop in Piggott for eight years. Afterwards she did custom machine quilting for the public and later selling quilts in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas. She retired from the quilting business to provide care for her husband after his health failed. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by her three sisters, Zora Love Ort, Emma Lou Vaughn, and Lura Kaye Conley, an infant.

In addition to her son, she is survived by her granddaughter, Kylie Nicole Allen of Paragould, Ark., and four great-grandchildren, Jason Wesley Waddell, Jr. of Conway, Ark., Gabriel Lee Waddell of Paragould, Ark., and Katelynn Nicole Waddell and Desmond Michael Allen of the home. She is also survived by a very special niece, Deborah Kaye Huggins, who was her primary caretaker for the past several weeks as well as other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Jason Waddell Jr., Gabriel Waddell, Steven Latta, Johnny Latta, Todd Latta, and Chuck Emerson. Honorary pallbearer was Anthony Thompson.