She was born on December 17th, 1946 in Burnet, Texas to Oran and Mattie Huggins. Orene lived in Burnet and attended local schools. She wed William ‘Buddy’ Johnson in 1963, later relocating to Midland in 1971 alongside their daughter, Marie. Widowed in 1980, Orene later married Mark Groessel in 1992.
Driven by a lifelong curiosity and intellect, Orene pursued higher education at Midland College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, graduating with an BA in sociology in 1977. She sought the same learning opportunities for her children, so she volunteered extensively through the PTA and led a Brownie Girl Scout troop.
Orene was a devout Christian. She was a member of West Kentucky Baptist Church, later moving her letter to Tall City Baptist Church in 2007. Orene volunteered with the church, assisting with many duties. She also studied the Bible extensively and diligently for over twenty years.
Orene enjoyed reading, gardening, crossword/logic puzzles and collecting antiques. She also was interested in dollhouses and baking. Orene loved spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who lovingly called her ‘Memaw’.
Orene is preceded in death by her mother Mattie Stowe, her father Oran Huggins, her husband Mark Groessel, siblings Eddie Witcher, Marie Parker, Vickie Bible and David Huggins, and son James Johnson.
Survivors include her daughter Marie Johnson and son W. Michael Johnson of Midland, sons Herbert G. Groessel of Portland, TX and Matthew Groessel of Fort Worth, TX, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers will include; Michael Johnson, Herbert G. Groessel, Matthew Groessel, James Dormady, Christopher Linton, Sean Castleberry and Kagen Rainey.
Honorary Pallbearers will include; J. Linton, Ayden Linton, Nicholas Linton, Jaymecin Rainey, Leighton Rainey, and Hagen Dormady
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM PM on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 at Ellis Funeral Home. The family welcomes friends for visitation prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Interment will follow shortly after at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Special thanks go to the staff at Hospice of Midland, who treated our mother and memaw with loving kindness, and to Johnny Touchstone for stepping in to preach the service.
