Jerene Montgomery, 76 of Little Rock, Arkansas, devoted and loving wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning July 18th, 2023. Jerene was born May 2nd, 1947 in Burley, Idaho and was the daughter of Don Whitaker and Faye Preston Helmcamp.
Jerene met the love of her life Mike at Franklin Junior High School in Pocatello, Idaho. Mike lived on 16th Street and Jerene lived just three streets away on 19th Street. They had their first date at their Pocatello High School prom when she was a junior and he was a sophomore. She graduated high school in 1965 and went to college at Brigham Young University. She got homesick and missed Mike so she left there and went to Idaho State University back in Pocatello for a short time. Mike graduated high school 1966 and went to the University of Utah. They got married December 27th, 1966. They lived in Salt Lake City while Mike finished his undergraduate studies at University of Utah. They had their first child Mace in 1967, then Michelle in 1971 and Megan in 1975. They lived in Salt Lake City until 1983 when they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas as Mike got transferred with Systematics.
Jerene worked as a Bookkeeper for Blocks clothing store in Salt Lake City for years before they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. In Little Rock she continued bookkeeping for The Brown Bottle and her last bookkeeping job (25 years) was with J. Duke & Co., a company that Mike and Duke Nix started as a clothing store for men in 1998. She worked there up until December 2022. She loved having a place to go and being the “store Mom”.
Jerene was the most selfless, kind, caring, and generous person. She would do anything for anyone. She had an infectious spirit; she would never meet a stranger. She was loved by anyone she met. She loved playing bridge and Mahjong with her friends. She also loved her desserts, treats, and candy. She especially loved making her Christmas sugar cookies for everyone. She loved her dog Coco so much and enjoyed taking her for walks. She also loved visiting her daughter Michelle in Dallas to do Partners Card shopping every Fall. She loved taking Kiley to get their nails done every Wednesday. One of her favorite restaurants was Ruth’s Chris. Her last vacation was over Christmas 2022 to Turks & Caicos with her family. She really enjoyed the trip. Above all, Jerene took the most pride in her roles as mother and grandmother (they called her Nana). Her family meant the world to her.
Jerene was very proud to be sober for 19+ years (since April 18th, 2004). She was very active in AA and was close to many local AA members and friends. She met one of her best friends through AA, Carolyn Rentrop, who loved Jerene and took very good care of her in her last 6 months of life.
Jerene had a deep faith in Jesus Christ, and her family takes great comfort knowing she is now home with the Lord. Jerene is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 57 years Michael Montgomery, her son Mace Montgomery, her daughter Michelle Montgomery Johnner, her sisters Janene Zweigart and Kari Galt and brother-in-law Scott Galt, her stepsister Tammy Orton and her stepbrother Doug (Pick) Whitaker, her son-in-law Matthew Johnner and grandchildren Michael Montgomery, Avery Montgomery, Hudson Johnner, Whit Johnner, Ellison Johnner, and Kiley Powell and her dog Coco. She is also survived by two of her closest life long friends Paulette Ren and Jeanne Harris. She was preceded in death by her parents Faye Helmcamp and Don Whitaker, her stepfather Gene Helmcamp, and her daughter Megan Powell. Also her loving dogs Blue, Gordy, Mercedes, Lexus and Molly.
“You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life….so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…..and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.” – Unknown
There will be private family burial service at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home. In honor of Jerene’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers please send donations to The Humane Society of Pulaski County, Little Rock, Arkansas https://warmhearts.org
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