“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11: 25-26

Dr. Lorene Tamar Rhodes France was born to the late Daniel Webster Rhodes, Sr. and Tamar Dillahunt Rhodes of Kinston, NC.  Lorene was the youngest of five children, Daniel Jr. (deceased), Liddie (deceased), Lula (deceased) and Frances.  Lorene was married to the late Orville Anderson France, Jr.  They had a beautiful, devoted life together.

She grew up in a very loving home where she enjoyed a happy childhood with her siblings and caring parents.  Her parents laid a strong Christian foundation that carried Lorene throughout her life.  She was baptized at St. Augustus A.M.E. Zion Church in Kinston, NC.  After moving to Cleveland, OH, she became a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Warrensville Heights, OH.  At Aldersgate, she served on various committees and ministries that included Chairperson of Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC), Church Council, Finance, Liturgy Coordinator and Trainer, Bible class student and teacher, as well as leading play productions.

Dr. France graduated with honors from Adkin High School.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Science from Livingstone College where she was Class Valedictorian.  While at Livingstone College, she was inducted into Beta Kappa Chi Honorary Math & Science Society, and Vice President of Student Government.  She received a summer National Science Foundation Fellowship (NSF) at Hamilton College, NSF Academic Year Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, and National Defense Education Academic Year Fellowship.  Lorene received her Master of Education from the University of Minnesota and her PhD from Cleveland State University where she was a member of the 1st Cohort College of Education PhD program.

Lorene began her teaching career as a math teacher at Lincoln High School in Chapel Hill, NC.  From this successful start, she continued her math teaching career at Langston High School in Danville, VA.  After moving to Cleveland, Ohio, she taught math at Central Junior High School, Glenville High School, and John F. Kennedy High School where she retired.  She developed an individual math instruction program at Cleveland State University.

She was loving and kind.  One of her many social and civic affiliations included, President of Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Cleveland, OH.  She served this prestigious organization as president from 1993 to 1995.  She was a Silver, Golden, and Pearl Soror and a Life Member.  For PIMS STRAND, Lorene was a technical writer, organizer and advisor for the regional conferences and Boule.  She also served on the International Investment Committee.

Among her hobbies, Lorene loved to play the organ, dance, tutor students in mathematics, help others in need, and travel.  Her travels included:  Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, China, Mexico, and cruising in the Caribbean.

Lorene was called by God from labor to reward, December 4, 2021.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one sister, Frances Rhodes Mae of Suffolk, VA; nephews, John J. Sutton III, Willie Rhodes, Edward Mae Jr. (Tarsha), Julio “Jack” PenaSoto (Schnelle); nieces, Beatrice A. Sutton, and Patricia L. Rhodes; great nephew, Sabir Asheed; great niece, Carmen PenaSoto; a dear and devoted Sister/Cousin Linda Moss; other cousins, relatives, and friends.