Lori Lea Richards

Lori Lea Richards (McClellan), 61, passed away on April 7 th , 2025, leaving behind an unfillable void in her family and friends’ hearts. She was born on February 10 th , 1964, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Carl and Joyce McClellan. Lori attended Mills High School. After high school, she married Ronnie Shilling and they had two daughters, Elaina Kirk and Rebecca Smith. The joys of Lori’s life were her daughters, grandkids, and great grandkids who all referred to her as NaNa (pronounced Naw-Naw). She loved spending time with her family and most days you could find her hanging out with her mom and dad at their house, helping her brother Steve, or playing with a grandkid or great grand kid. Another joy in her life were animals – both cats and dogs – but the most special was her inside cat, Miss Thang. All who knew Lori knew of her love for animals and that she accumulated more stray animals than probably anyone knew. She also loved classic rock; her favorites included Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, and The Eagles to name a few. She also had late-found love for Mountain Dew and would buy it by the case!

In her early career, Lori worked alongside Ronnie at their dental lab in Heber Springs. Following that, she had several jobs, but she is most known as the friendliest lunch lady ever at The Anthony School, Christ Lutheran, Christ the King, and Episcopal Collegiate School as well as running the local sno cone place, The Shack, in Landmark. Towards the end of her life, she transitioned to work at Walmart as a cashier and loved her coworkers and customers.

Lori is survived by her parents, Carl and Joyce McClellan; her brother, Steven McClellan; her daughters Elaina Kirk and Rebecca (Garrett) Smith; her grandkids Natalie (Colt) Painter, Patricia Kirk, Savannah Smith, and Wesley Fortson; her great grandkids Landry Painter and Madeline Lamb; and extended aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, her dear sister Terry McClellan, and the love of her life, Eddie Beard, who even after all this time held a special place in her heart.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 11 th , at Faith Freewill Bible Church at 107 Wints Drive Little Rock, AR 72206; Lori’s service will follow at 2:00 pm. Burial at Ivy Chapel Cemetery, 678 Ivy Chapel Road Little Rock, AR 72206 after the service. All are invited for lunch and fellowship at the church following the burial. If attending, please come as you are – jeans and razorback shirts are welcome and encouraged as that’s what Lori would want everyone to wear.

Lori had the kindest spirit and would help anyone with anything. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, especially those who called her NaNa.