Mary Lorice Hilborn Fite, age 96, of Glen Rose, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 6, 2026. Lorice was born on October 12, 1929 at home on Holy Ridge Road, in Fairplay Township, southeast Saline County, Arkansas. She was the first child of Malven Lemon Hilborn and Iva Ann King Hilborn. Her grandparents were John Edward King, Mary Folden Jones King, Earnest Lincoln Hilborn, and Mary Louisa Williams Hilborn Eldridge Marable.

Lorice graduated from Glen Rose High School in May 1948 and was the last surviving member of her class. She started to Henderson College in the fall of 1948.

From January to May 1950, she held her first teaching job at Traskwood School in the Glen Rose District. During the evenings she taught math to WW2 veterans on the GI bill at Glen Rose School.

On August 25, 1950, Lorice married George Waymon Fite, of Willow, Arkansas. They met on a blind date while students at Henderson College. Their first home was in Bodcaw, Arkansas.

On May 11, 1953, she gave birth to her only child, Florice Phena Fite, at Hawkins Clinic, Searcy, Arkansas. In 1955 she moved back to Glen Rose where she lived the rest of her life.

Mrs. Fite was an active member of Hot Spring County Home Economics Club for many years starting in 1960s until the early 2000s. She served as a representative on the Hot Spring County Fair Board and judged canning and crafts for many years at county and regional fairs in southern Arkansas.

Lorice was an accomplished seamstress who could look at a picture and create a pattern to expertly sew clothing. She greatly enjoyed quilting and designed and pieced quilt tops for each of her grandchildren. She was also a prolific gardener who would grow, harvest and can or freeze fruits and vegetables regularly. She taught her sewing , gardening and food preservation skills to many others in her family and community over the years.

Lorice was a faithful member of Hilltop Assembly of God church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Madison Dodd and siblings Geneva Ledbetter, EL Hilborn, James Lee Hilborn, and Otis Hilborn.

She is survived by sisters Vivian Gammill, Glenda Crites, and Janelle Dyer all of Malvern.  Additionally, her daughter Phena Dodd of Malvern and husband Jerry Dodd survives her along with 12 grandchildren, Jody McDaniel (Brent), Dallas, TX; Kimberly Moran (Patrick), Litchfield Park, AZ, Kristy Dodd Malvern, AR, Julie McGee (David) Evansville, IN; Timothy Dodd, Malvern; Andrew Dodd, Little Flock, AR; Matthew Dodd (Jaymi), Malvern; Lindsey Weaver (Todd), Batesville, AR; Allison "Allie" McGhee (Steven), Malvern; Daniel "Willie" Dodd, Springdale, AR; Casey Dodd, Malvern, AR; Kathleen "Kat" Dodd Wheeler (Brett), Dallas, TX, 24 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lorice was a loving, supportive and attentive Grandma and Great-Grandma who will be truly missed. She devoted much of her life to spending time with her grandchildren traveling the country on roadtrips, passing along her cooking and sewing skills, doing puzzles and watching game shows together.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1pm with service to honor Mrs. Fite immediately after at 2pm at Regency Funeral Home Chapel in Malvern. Graveside service will be at Fairplay cemetery. Pallbearers will be Patrick Moran, Brent McDaniel, David McGee, Todd Weaver, Steven McGhee, Brett Wheeler, George McDaniel and Montgomery Moran. Her Grandchildren welcome everyone to gather at Lorice's home afterward for a time of fellowship.

Arrangement are by Regency Funeral Home.  You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.