Lorene Grace (Clark) Roberts

Lorene (Granny) Grace Clark Roberts passed away early Saturday morning, January 9, 2021 in Portales, New Mexico at the age of 97.  A graveside service will be held at the Portales Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 14 with Cody Brown officiating.

 Lorene Roberts was born January 31, 1923 to the home of Cora and Man Clark in Roosevelt County, New Mexico in the Rogers Community.  She attended Rogers High School graduating in 1940. She also attended Eastern New Mexico University.  Lorene lived on farms in Roosevelt County until 1961 moving into Portales.  Until September 2019 she lived independently in her home, then she moved into Heartland Continuing Care.  She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Portales.

Lorene worked for a short time in the cafeteria at RM James School.  In 1970, she began a banking career at United New Mexico Bank which later became Wells Fargo.  She was a bank officer and head bookkeeper until she retired in 1987.  She developed long lasting friendships with many of her fellow employees, and many of them still refer to her as “Granny”. 

Lorene is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Garry and Susie Roberts, of Canyon, Texas; and daughter and son-in-law, Dannah and Gene Brown, of Portales; son-in-law, Bill Reed of Clovis, New Mexico; son-in-law, Elbert Smith and his wife, Bonnie, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Also surviving is 9 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren: Keith and Susan Smith Stanford and their children, Nicholas, Derrick, Amelia, Lillie; Craig Smith and his children, Haley,  Landon and Addison, Darin and Rachel Roberts and their daughter, Kennedy; Chad Roberts and his children, Hannah, Jacob, Reagan; Joel and Mandi Brown Shearer and their children, Jayden, Wyatt and Emma; Cody and Shawna Brown and their children, Josephine, Anthony, Abby, Jenna, Josh; Jeffrey and Kelli Reed and their son, Cager; Jodie and Jenifer Reed Burns and their children, Reed, Ryanne, Rayne; Jay and Jamie Reed and their children Ansley and Adalynn.

Lorene was preceded in death by her daughters, Shirley Smith and Pamela Reed; her grandson, Jackson Roberts; her parents, Man and Cora Clark; her sister, Madge Ellerd; her brothers, Jack, Herman and Troy Clark.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Heartland Staff for their love and care for Lorene the past 16 months.  While living at Heartland, she would often say this is a good place to be.  She went through many trials during her lifetime; and in the latter years, she would often remark, “Well if you live this long.” 

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be sent to The Porch Church Missions Fund, Box 484, Portales, NM 88130.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lorene Grace (Clark) Roberts, please visit our floral store.