She was born in Clay County, Kentucky on February 14, 1918, the daughter of Levi and Lucinda (Gay) Byrd. She was educated in the Clay County, Kentucky Schools. She married Samuel Arlie McCracken on October 10, 1936 in Covington, Kentucky. Lora received her Cosmetology License in 1948 and worked for Lee’s Beauty Shop in Hamilton, Ohio and then went on to purchase the Beauty Shop and work and run it until the early 1960’s.
She lived and was engaged in farming in Liberty Township for 74 years. She and Arlie had a farm on Van Gordon Road that Lora lived at until the age of 98. Early on the farm had horses, cows, chickens, pigs and a couple ponds that she, Arlie and Sissy (Lora Montgomery Golaszewski) would use their cane fishing poles with red and white bobbers to fish in. The farm also had a beautiful apple orchard that she would pick apples and make the most delicious homemade apple pies for dinner. Each year she would plant and tend to a huge garden so she would always have fresh fruit and vegetables that she would cook and if you went to her house, she would always want to feed you. Lora was an amazing cook.
She was also a charter member of the Little Creek Riding Club. She loved raising and showing Tennessee Walking Horses and going to the Celebration Horse Show each year in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This was a very special event where she, Arlie and Sissy would pack up the camper and head out for a week and they had front row, box seats to watch these beautiful animals perform.
Lora also enjoyed listening to Blue Grass Gospel Music. Later in life she and Arlie would pack up and go to meet their friends at different Blue Grass Gospel Music festivals.
She was a member of the New Miami Church of Christ and her church family was very special and very important to her. She was a strong woman of faith. A special “thank you” to Bob and Jeanie Wheeler who would always make sure Lora had a ride to church after she stopped driving.
At the age of 99, Lora went to live with her great-great nephew, Layne Rone in Las Vegas, Nevada. She enjoyed Layne taking her on daily outings where he would just follow along behind her until she said she was ready to go home. Another favorite of Meme’s was to go out for breakfast or lunch and Layne needed to make sure that the menu included potatoes. Lora was very thankful for Layne and Brad Busse taking such great care of her this year. She loved them both dearly.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including special nephews, Ray Montgomery of Friendswood, Texas; David Montgomery of Houston, Texas; Howard Wilson of Brooksville, Florida; Billy (Gordon) Hill of Sarasota, Florida; and a special niece, June McCracken of Hamilton, Ohio who took good care of Lora in 2016.
Lora (Meme) had a namesake, Lora Montgomery Golaszewski (Sissy), who thought the world of her and they had an incredible bond that time, miles and even death will never interrupt their love, devotion and dedication for one another.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Arlie McCracken; her son, Paul D. McCracken; brothers, Claude Byrd, Arthur Byrd, Ernest Byrd, Everett Byrd, Clay Byrd; and sisters, Mae Montgomery, Lena Wilson, Lillie Combs and Jewell Byrd; and a very special nephew who she loved dearly, Ronald Montgomery.
Lora was a devoted wife and mom that touched so many people in her 100 years. Lora (Meme) will always be loved and never forgotten.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 11, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home, Ross Avenue at South "D" Street with Rev. Randy Dodd officiating. Procession to Rose Hill Burial Park immediately following the service.
