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Lora A.
Carlile
Aug 25, 1973 — May 27, 2025
Malvern
Lora Ann Loy Carlile of Benton, Arkansas, left this world for her Heavenly home on May 27, 2025, at the age of 51. Born on August 25, 1973, in Little Rock, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Doyle Loy and the late Anita Sandage Loy and one of three children. Lora graduated from Malvern High School in 1991, later studying fashion merchandising at Henderson State University. She spent several years working at Elk Horn Bank of Arkadelphia before joining Teeter Motor Company, where her professionalism, warm spirit, and sharp wit made a lasting impression.
Lora was a lifelong believer and attended Sardis Primitive Baptist Church. Her faith, compassion, and courage shaped her journey, especially after being diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes at the age of 10. Though her path was marked with health challenges, including two kidney transplants, Lora lived with extraordinary strength, grace, and an unwavering zest for life. She became a mentor, an advocate, and a shining example of resilience, always offering guidance, support, and hope to others navigating similar struggles.
She had a deep love for the 1980s—the fashion, the music, and the energy of the era—and was famously known as Duran Duran's biggest fan. With her lifelong best friend, Katrina Stoecker Gangluff, Lora once managed to meet John Taylor after a concert—a memory the two cherished and proudly documented with photos. Her joy was infectious, her sense of humor unforgettable, and her heart always open.
Lora was also an adventurer at heart. She traveled to 49 states—North Dakota being the only one she missed—and filled her passport with stamps from Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France, the United Kingdom, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, and most recently the Netherlands, where she joyfully tiptoed through tulips with Sam and her cousin, dear friend, and travel buddy, Lisa. These journeys reflected her philosophy of living life fully and gratefully, never taking a single day for granted.
Lora was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Anita Sandage Loy of Malvern. She is survived by her husband, Sam Carlile of Benton; stepchildren, Samantha Harvey (Austin) of Greenwood, Lauren Carlile and Sydnee Carlile of Fort Smith; and grandchildren, Bentley, Brighton, Nash, and Wilder. She is also survived by her father, Doyle Loy of Malvern; mother-in-law, Janice Carlile of Greenwood; brothers, Bryan Loy (Lori) and Brad Loy (Shonna) of Malvern; and sisters-in-law, Linda Williams (John), Brenda Wiley (Phillip), and Melissa Thomas (Randy), all of Greenwood. Her cherished nieces—Chelsey Elliott (Chris), Sarah Loy, Abby Loy, Katie Gaskin, and Malory Loy—along with their children Anna and Josie Elliott, Emery Loy, Karter and Wynter Mitchell, and Mila Nava, will hold her memory close forever. Many cousins, dear friends, and her cherished dog, Sofie, also survive her and will feel the absence of her love and presence deeply. Among her closest friends were Katrina Stoecker Gangluff, her lifelong best friend and partner in adventure, and Staci Newell, her dear friend and kidney donor, whose gift gave Lora the chance to continue living life to the fullest.
To know Lora was to love her. She faced life's hardships with strength, traveled through it with joy, and left a trail of unforgettable memories in her wake. Her presence will be dearly missed and forever cherished.
As an organ donor herself, Lora was honored with an "Honor Walk" on May 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. as family, friends, and hospital staff lined the hallways of Conway Regional Medical Center in tribute, a testament to her legacy of compassion and generosity.
Lora's visitation will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home in Malvern. A celebration of her life will follow on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home, with Richard Sandage and Chad Newell officiating. Interment will follow at Ouachita Cemetery. Pallbearers include Bryan Loy, Brad Loy, Chris Elliott, Bobby Sandage, Jr., Winston Sandage, and Randy Aaron.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Conway Regional Medical Center's ICU nurse Kathy, patient care technician Mark, and the team at Gentiva Hospice for their unwavering and compassionate care. Special thanks also go to Lora's kidney donors, Andy Drennan and Staci Newell, whose gifts of life allowed Lora to continue living fully and sharing her light.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) at https://www2.breakthrought1d.org or to an organ donation organization of your choice in honor of Lora's final gift.
Though her time with us was far too short, Lora's legacy is one of love, laughter, and light. She gave generously, lived passionately, and touched more lives than she ever knew. As she was welcomed into Heaven, we take comfort knowing she was embraced by the Lord's open arms—and by her beloved mother, with joy in her eyes. In every shared memory, every act of kindness, and every life she touched, the spirit of Lora Loy Carlile continues to shine brightly.
Saturday
Regency Funeral Home Chapel
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sunday
Regency Funeral Home Chapel
Starts at 2:00 pm
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