of Helena, AR

December 14, 1932 - August 19, 2023

Eugenia Corkran, age 90, died quietly and peacefully at St Francis Hospital in Memphis with her sons by her side.

Eugenia and her twin brother, Gene, were the youngest of nine children born to Willis Burt and Emily Frances New Ridge at Moro, Arkansas on December 14th, 1932.
Eugenia graduated from Moro High School, went to work in the big city at Daggett's Drug Store in Marianna, where she met and later married Ronald E Corkran in Marianna on August 2nd, 1953.

She and Ronald moved to Memphis in 1962 and raised their two boys, Ronald E. "Ronnie" and John Kevin Corkran there until moving back to Arkansas and Helena in 1980 to take over Reeve's Grocery in Helena.

A loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother "Frannie" and a friend to many in Helena, she was also often known as "Mrs. Reeves" (from Reeve's Grocery where she and Ronald ran that grocery for twenty years).

A straight-forward, strong and physically tough woman (raised on a cotton farm with her eight siblings), she was also funny, thoughtful, pragmatic and fiercely independent. She wasn't going to tell you how much she loved you. She just loved you and you knew it. 'Deeds Not Words' could have been her motto.

Fondly remembered by all, she is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Raymond, Willis and Gene Ridge and four sisters, Vinnie Ligon, Inez Graham, Virginia Chapman and Jan Ridge. Surviving are her two sons, Ronald E Corkran, Jr of Dumfries, VA and John Kevin Corkran of Germantown, TN; her respective daughters-in-law, Betsy Walsh Corkran and Catherine Matheson Corkran and her beloved grandchildren, Sydney Corkran of Columbus Ohio; Chloe Corkran of Sydney, Australia and Colby Corkran of Germantown, TN.

Also surviving are her sister, Doris Pugsley of Moore, OK and a great number of nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to her friend, Nancy Hall, who helped her keep firm hold of her independence and the kind Doctors and Nurses of St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, who showed great care and compassion for her in her last few days on this earth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the West Helena United Methodist Church, 109 N 6th Street, West Helena, will be appreciated. Graveside services will be at 9:30 am Wednesday, August 23d, 2023 at Marianna Memorial Park Cemetery.

Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

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