Lola Vernelle Ainsworth

Lola Vernelle Ainsworth (Price) was 84 years old when she passed away and went to be with her Heavenly Father.  Lola, known as “Vernelle” to her siblings and some other close family members, passed away in the care of her children at her daughter’s home in Mabank, Tx. on January 21, 2024.  Lola was born on October 10, 1939, in Carbon Hill, Alabama.  She was the second of six children born to Luther and Versie Price.  She was called “Squirt” by her dad and grew up on a farm where she picked cotton alongside her parents and siblings.  She was said to always be into something and somewhat of a tomboy.  She spoke fondly of how she liked to get a green onion from the garden, a biscuit from the kitchen, and climb up a tree to get away and read a book. 

On October 6, 1956, Lola married her first sweetheart, James C. McLaughlin, and together they had five children.  Their first baby “Tony”, born August 20, 1957, passed away one day after his birth.  In March of 1964 Lola and James divorced and she raised her children on her own until she met Willard “Dub” Ainsworth on a blind date, and they were married September 22, 1967.  Lola and Dub were married 55 years until his passing on January 28, 2023.    

Throughout their 55 years of marriage Lola and Dub owned a couple Country Stores that included grocery, feed, and a Deli/Meat Market.  The first in Soper, Oklahoma when the children were young and in school, and later the second in Simpsonville, Texas when the children were grown, married, and with children of their own.  Many memories were made with her children and grandchildren in that store, and the best cheeseburgers ever eaten were had there. 

Lola loved doing for others and was happiest when she could prepare a meal, or favorite dish or dessert for her family.  She loved to read, especially the Word of God and could quote from memory complete chapters throughout the Bible.  All through her life she was a prayer warrior for her family and many others she knew, as was her mother before her.  She loved a bargain and to shop at the Family Resource Center in Gun Barrel was a favorite place and past time.  She loved all kinds of Gospel and more contemporary Christian music, including Toby Mac.  There were many trips to Tyler, and sometimes further, for doctor appointments in the last several years of her life and during those trips she loved to listen to and sing along with her daughter’s YouTube favorite list.    

Lola was a friend to all who knew her and was known for her kindness, sense of humor, and brilliant smile.  If you spent much time at all with her, she would know the details of your life and family in short order and remember all of it.  She cared and had a genuine interest in the people she met and came to know. 

Lola was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Versie Price; husband, Willard Ainsworth; son, James Anthony McLaughlin; brothers, Jesse E. Price and Luther “Byron” Price.  Lola is survived by her brother, David Price of Dora, AL.; sisters, Yvonne Christensen and Martha Childers both of Dora, AL.; and her children, Michael D. McLaughlin and wife Dottie of Empire, AL., Carol A. Kirby and husband Robert of Mabank, TX., Jeffrey C. McLaughlin and wife Bonnie of Rowlett, TX., and Jesse “Phillip” McLaughlin of Mabank, TX., as well as eleven (11) grandchildren, and at last count thirty-nine (39) great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.