Oretha Pryor

Oretha Ruth Poole (Pryor), 77, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, was born on January 23, 1947, in Texarkana, Texas, to the late Gladys E. Pryor and Otis Pryor. Oretha was a dedicated member of Mount Orange Missionary Baptist Church, where she found joy in singing with the church choir and serving her faith community.

She was a 1965 graduate of Dunbar High School where she graduated 3rd in her class. 

She dedicated her life to education working for Texarkana Headstart and other early childhood development programs in the city of Louisiana where she was loved and honored by students and parents. 

On November 12, 2024, Oretha was called home, earning her wings and reuniting with those she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Gladys Pryor, and her brother, Vertis Pryor, and her sister Patricia "Ping" Pryor. 

Oretha leaves behind a legacy of love and family, cherished by her sister, Beverly Pryor-Thomas of Texarkana, her brother, James R. Pryor of Berkeley, California, Barbara, Donna, and Samantha of Little Rock/ Pine Bluff.

Her memory lives on through her five daughters, Chiquita (Calvin)Gray, Vernita Williams, Oneka (Harvey)Lane, Yacharda (Daryll)Wesley, and Ayana (Desmond)Lafayette, as well as a special bonus daughter, Tonja (James) Baxter. She is also fondly remembered by her special nieces, Vergina (Ricky) Smith, Jasmine Pryor, Jada Pryor, Nikita Wade, Verlecia Brown and her nephews Victor Wade and Vandy Nelson.

Oretha was blessed with six grandchildren—Cortni, Alexis, Kimmiski, Tre'Vaughn, Morgan, and Chance—and five great-grandchildren, Farrah, Londyn, Camerin, Demi, Aaliyah, and Bryson, along with a host of other relatives and close friends who will forever carry her spirit in their hearts.

Her life was a testament to faith, family, and resilience, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.