Louise Herrington Ornelas

Louise Herrington Ornelas went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2018 (on her daddy’s 120th birthday) in Tyler, Texas at the age of 93. Louise is survived by her husband of 26 years, Joseph Z. Ornelas; sister Ann Kimrey of Tyler; brother Billy Creel Herrington and wife Peggy of Tyler; sons Rick Rogers and wife Mary Jane of Simsboro, LA; Randy Rogers and wife Brenda of Bryan, Texas; Russell Rogers and wife Esther of Springdale, Arkansas; daughters Becky Wangner and husband Rob of Brentwood, TN; Sheryl Palmer of Tyler; Cindy Scott of Chandler, TX; Rita Seldenrust and husband John; and Andrea Wegener and husband Dave. 20 grandchildren: Michelle Drewett and husband Patrick; Andrea Lazenby and husband David; Richard Rogers; Ryan Rogers; Austin Rogers and wife Heather; Bethany Rogers; Connor Wangner and wife Courtney; David Wangner; Jackson Wangner; Molly Wangner; Rachel Tillery and husband Charles; Rebecca Rogers; Reid Rogers; Russ Rogers; Robby Rogers; Lauren Seldenrust; Elise Seldenrust; Andrew Seldenrust; Rachel Seldenrust; and Benjamin Wegener. 8 great-grandchilren: Brandon Drewett; Daniel Drewett; Beau Drewett; William Lazenby; Spencer Lazenby; Chuck Tillery; Victoria Grace Tillery; and Crew Wangner. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Minnie Herrington; brothers Al Herrington and Charles Herrington; sisters Jean Lancaster and Ellen Thurman; son Robby Rogers, and first husband Army Sgt. Martin Eugene Pettis. She was co-founder of TCA Cable TV, Inc along with her second husband, Robert M. Rogers. Louise was born June 15, 1925 in Las Cruces, NM. She grew up in Arp, TX and has lived in Tyler since 1957. While best known in East Texas as a philanthropist to many causes including education, healthcare, furthering the Kingdom of God, and using the resources she was blessed with to improve the lives of many people, she always thought of herself simply as the Girl from Arp. She was the 2nd of 7 children to Bill and Minnie Herrington. Her family had limited resources, but it was a home full of love and laughter and hard work. She was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church for 55 years. She treasured the Word of God and took seriously her charge to “Train up a child in the way they should go” and, as a result, all her children walk with the Lord. She worked hard to make a blended family one family unit – insisting the family be brothers and sisters and sons and daughters and never using the word “step”. All were loved. She had a fun-loving spirit. She got great pleasure in pranking friends. You knew if you got pranked by her, that you were in her inner circle. Services for Louise Ornelas will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. David O. Dykes officiating. Burial will follow at Mason Cemetery in Arp under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 in the Bethany Suite and Worship Center foyer of Green Acres Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Russ Rogers, Robby Rogers, Ryan Rogers, Austin Rogers, Richard Rogers, David Wangner, Connor Wangner and Reid Rogers. Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Drewett, Daniel Drewett, Beau Drewett, Jackson Wangner, William Lazenby and Spencer Lazenby. The family is thankful for the dedicated caregivers in her final years: a special thanks to Denise Grubbs for her loving care. Thanks also to Christus Trinity Mother Frances, At Home Healthcare, and Hospice of East Texas. And finally, Dick Sulser was a loyal and dedicated assistant for 35 years and one of her best friends. Thank you, Dick. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you make a donation to an organization of your choice that furthers the kingdom of God.

Louise Herrington Ornelas

June 15, 1925 - December 19, 2018