Laurene Boggan McLemore
What do you remember about Laurene? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
The family of Laurene McLemore is comforted knowing that Laurene's work here on earth is done. She fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race on August 20, 2022. We know the Lord has awarded her with a crown of righteousness. She is enjoying a wonderful reunion with family and friends who preceded her in death and with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born in Mendenhall, MS, April 3, 1938, Laurene was 84 years old and enjoyed her life fully with compassion, laughter, and commitment to her family, friends, church, and profession. She married James McLemore in 1957 and adored her 65 years with him, honoring their vows to have and to hold, to love and cherish until they were parted by death.
Family welcoming her to heaven include her father and mother, Theo and Junie Boggan of Mendenhall, MS. Her remaining family, celebrating her life, includes her husband, James McLemore and daughter, Cindy (David) Whitehouse of Lexington, KY; grandsons Lin (Kana Smith) Whitehouse of Washington, DC; Landry Funderburk of Denver, CO; Andrew (Christie Stamper) Whitehouse of Denver, CO; and great granddaughter Adaline Whitehouse. Her younger sister, Doris Sue (Raymond) Broadus and brother, Luther (Kay Mullins) Boggan still reside in Mendenhall, MS, on the family farm of five generations. Nieces, nephews, and their children all join us in remembering "Aunt Laurene".
Even as a little girl, Laurene was teaching and leading. She was an amazing daughter, helping on the farm, attending school, and supporting her siblings and parents. She graduated from Pinola High School, Copiah Lincoln Community College, Delta State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi with her Master of Science Degree in Education. Her career focused on teaching high school family and consumer sciences, progressing to health and science occupations education and administration. Laurene fiercely believed in, protected, and provided educational opportunities for all students. She taught in numerous schools throughout Mississippi and Tennessee. In 1986 Mrs. McLemore, as she was known by her students, began her work with the State of Tennessee, Department of Education as an Education Consultant. She served as Chair of the Board for the National Health Science Education Board and has been recognized by Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) for her extensive work. In 2006, she rounded out her career as a consultant to BioTN Foundation in Franklin, TN, continuing to work into her 70s. She never stopped learning and pushing us to improve ourselves and world.
As a member of the inaugural class of the HOSA Hall of Fame in 2016, Laurene McLemore was inducted as a part of HOSA's 40th Anniversary Celebration in Nashville, TN. HOSA's Hall of Fame honors and recognizes individuals who have rendered outstanding service to HOSA, health and biomedical science education, and the health industry. Laurene McLemore received HOSA's highest honor, HOSA's Honorary Life Member, given for contributions to the development of HOSA and outstanding services provided. In addition to her work with Tennessee and National HOSA, Laurene served as the HOSA Inc. Board Chairman. A colleague recently remembered her as a leader who provided a solid foundation for HOSA who was well respected throughout the organization. She was a special person to many and personally one of her earliest mentors.
Laurene was a woman ahead of her time. She was known to be bold, innovative, high reaching, and loving. She reached countless students with her message about the importance of education and encouraged them to overcome any obstacles. She taught in schools serving disadvantaged students and made it her priority to change their lives, regardless of status, race, religion, or intimidation. She defended honor and was fearless. One of our favorite memories is when she grabbed her purse back from an assailant more than twice her size on Canal Street in New Orleans while waiting for a streetcar! Ask us about that story and many others when we see you next.
Laurene's greatest love was her family and supporting her husband in his ministry as pastor's wife in numerous churches. We will never know the number of meals she prepared, hands she held, tears she cried, disabilities she assisted, and lives she supported through her ministry. She worked on mission trips all over the United States, as well as Kenya and Bulgaria. She volunteered for the Tennessee Children's Home, International English Language Classes, several hospitals, and mission organizations. She was never afraid to do any menial tasks and expected everyone else to do the same. Most of us have experienced that "look" she had when she wanted to push you to do better! Laurene taught us the value of life, humanity, dignity, and servanthood. We will miss her terribly but will always be better because of the life lessons she taught us.
To honor her legacy, we ask that contributions be made to the following organizations in lieu of flowers.
Sunrise Children's Services operates three therapeutic residential centers, one psychiatric residential treatment center, five foster care regions with 11 foster care offices, family services and an independent living program that helps aging-out kids. Sunrise Children's Services provides care for close to 800 kids and family members throughout the state of Kentucky. Sunrise Children's Services - Foster Care, Adoption, Residential Treatment
Donations may be made on the web site (please note Laurene McLemore Memorial Fund) or mailed to:
SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICES
300 HOPE STREET
P.O. BOX 1429
MT. WASHINGTON, KY 40047
Attn: Dale Suttles, CEO
Laurene McLemore Memorial
HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. HOSA's mission is to empower members to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA works with secondary, post-secondary, middle school, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs to provide leadership development, motivation, and recognition for those who have interest in pursuing careers in health professions.
Donations can be made to HOSA-Future Health Professionals who will present a scholarship in her honor at HOSA's International Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX on June 21, 2023. Please contact [email protected] with questions. To donate, please visit the 2023 HOSA Scholarship Program link: https://hosa.org/contribute-to-the-scholarship-program/
Thank you to our many friends and family members who prayed with us, visited, and supported her long illness. Special thanks to the Cedarhurst of Beaumont Senior Living staff and Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice staff for their compassion and attention to her needs.
Please join us for a commemorative service at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, KY, on Wednesday, August 24th, 2022, at 2:30 pm ET. An outside service will follow at the beautiful historic Lexington National Cemetery, 833 W. Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky.