Nolie Loraine Tidwell

Nolie “Loraine” Pinckard Tidwell, 89, passed away on April 24, 2026. She was born on June 18, 1936, on a gravel road in Cleveland County, Arkansas, near the town of New Edinburg—less than a mile from McCoy Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.

The only daughter among several brothers, Loraine was well loved and sometimes even a little spoiled growing up, creating relationships she cherished throughout her life.

She married Charles William Tidwell in 1953, and they were married until his death in 2017. They had 5 children in 5 years, and she was a devoted mother who stayed home while her children were young, later working in a garment factory where she sewed on belt loops and championed repairs. She also held various other jobs over the years, but she was happiest caring for others. She kept the books for the baseball field the years her boys played. In fact, she never saw any of her boys play a football game as she was always volunteering in the concession stands. Later in life she took care of others by being the official cook for the deer camp and then answering phones and welcoming guests for Tidwell Tree Farm the last 16 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed word find puzzles and watching John Wayne westerns.

Loraine’s greatest joy was her family. She was a proud grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother both to blood relatives and those she adopted. She made each person feel known and cared for. She was known for her cooking—especially her dressing, macaroni and tomatoes, and banana pudding from scratch—and for always making an extra side dish just the way one person liked it. She never turned away anyone in need and gave freely, even when she had little to spare. She learned this through her faith in Jesus Christ who was a steady part of her life, and she found great comfort in knowing she was going home to be with her Lord.

She was preceded in death by her parents, L.H. Pinckard and Nolie Erwin Pinckard; her husband, Charles William Tidwell; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Connie Tidwell; her son, Ellis Tidwell; her daughter, Debra Cranford; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Max (“Sue”) Pinckard, Raymon Pinckard, Ellis Pinckard, and Paul J. (Patsy) Pinckard.

She is survived by her sons, John (Teresa) Tidwell of Sherwood, Arkansas, and Terry Tidwell of Fordyce, Arkansas; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, and many, many others who called her Mom and Grandma.

Funeral services will be held at Benton Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 29, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m., followed by a graveside burial at McCoy Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.