Delorice Virginia "Ginny" Renfro

Delorice Virginia “Ginny” Renfro went to be with the Lord on December 29th, 2024. She was born August 22nd, 1943 in North Port, Alabama. She was raised there by her Aunt & Uncle OlaMae and Chester Cork and then moved to Huntsville in 1967, soon after she met Thomas and began her family and career. Ginny and her Husband Thomas began their careers as Restaurateurs in 1970 in Huntsville with “The Lamplighter Room”. This is where they made their mark with people in the community by serving amazing food and a strong work ethic. A man named Ed Sandhop was instrumental with their startup and helped them take advantage of opportunities to grow their name and business. Then they purchased the “Cafe Texan” in 1972. Working with a chef named Bishop, they honed their craft. The menu they created was a staple there decades after they sold the business. “Casa Tomas” which had locations all over east Texas was their biggest name in food. “Geppetto’s” Italian restaurant in Huntsville. There, they worked with Damian Mandola who is one of the most successful restaurateurs around. “Renfreaux’s Seafood” in Huntsville, “Yvonne’s on the Bayou” a cajun restaurant in Bryan TX and “Sweets and Eats” on the downtown square in Huntsville. Ginny had a natural talent and gift for creating concepts and menus for all their businesses. Chances are if you’re reading this, that you’ve tried her food. Her vision and drive, is what propelled them to be successful for 50 plus years. She not only touched so many lives with her food, her kind nature and care for all people, changed the lives of those who worked for her. So many people can attribute their success to Ginny and Thomas, who did their best to build up people and help them become successful in their own lives. As wonderful and talented as she was in the restaurant business, her true passion was her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Ray Renfro, and her great granddaughter Laila Blake Koerselman. She is survived by two daughters Robin Duke and her husband Mike, Karen Koerselman and her husband Brian, and a son Zak Renfro. Surviving grandchildren are Mandi Cooper and husband David, Jamie Sanders and husband Jason, Katie Duke and fiancé Cody Slater, Blake Koerselman and wife Clarissa, Tori Tinklepaugh and wife Shelby Tinklepaugh, and Barrett Koerselman. Great Grandchildren Ethan Duke, Cameron Cooper, Collin Sanders, Tate Sanders, Lynlee Duke and Brixton Tinklepaugh Her love for her family and all children guided her life. Everyone gravitated to her kind nature and nurturing ways. There was not a more kindhearted and giving person. Her selfless nature has left an everlasting impact on her family and those she touched. Her imprint on her family will be felt for generations to come. She was a guiding light for those who knew her. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 5-7pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. She will be laid to rest at the family homestead on January 4, 2025. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Delorice Virginia "Ginny" Renfro

August 22, 1943 - December 29, 2024