Lorraine Gillenwater

Lorraine Gillenwater 90, of Madison, departed this life and went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Boone Memorial Hospital, while surrounded by her loving family. Lorraine was born June 14, 1922 to Kathleen and Okey Thompson of Madison, West Virginia. Lorraine was a loving mother who dedicated her life to caring for her children and teaching them the meaning of family. She had many years of service to Boone County Schools as a parent volunteer and homeroom mother. Many people may remember her from the snack bar at the Junior Haddad Recreation Center, as the math instructor for the Adult Learning Center in Madison, or as a receptionist for Dr. M. R. Walker, Optometrist. She was a member of Madison Baptist Church and past member of Danville First Baptist Church, where she served as Treasurer. Although Lorraine suffered from Dementia, she maintained her love for life and dancing. In addition to her own six children, she adopted the staff of Boone Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Danville, as an extended family, during the last two years of her life. She delighted in the freedom of her frequent walks through the halls of the nursing home but her ultimate goal was to “go home to Mommy”. She has now reached her goal and can continue her walks on the golden streets of Heaven. In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her devoted husband of sixty years, Raymond Gillenwater; a grandson Jamie Gillenwater; sisters Lena Mullins and Marie Butcher; niece Betty Gillenwater; and brothers Hubert and Herbert Price. Surviving Lorraine are her children: Barbara (Smokey) Miller of Madison, Jim (Phyllis) Gillenwater of South Charleston, Donna Jean Gillenwater of Clendenin, Susie(Gary) Bell of Chapmanville, Kathy (Kevin)Hill of Foster and Ray(Pam) Gillenwater of Madison; nephew: Reggie Martin of Madison; Special nieces; JoAnn Harmon and Sylvia Clark of Madison; Grandchildren: Julie(Mike) Sizemore of Madison, Chris (Hope) Miller of Hurricane, Angel Gillenwater of South Charleston, Kelly Golden of Danville, Dee (Kelli) Canterbury of Foster, Adam (Marisa) Canterbury of Milton, Kortni Bell of Charlotte, NC, Ryan Bell of Carnegie, Pennsylvanie, Zachary Gillenwater, Beth Smith, Mary Boggess, Sarah and Katherine Gillenwater of Madison, twelve great-grandchildren and one “on the way”, one great-great grandchild, and a host of extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Boone Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Danville and Boone Memorial Hospital of Madison for the passionate care of our mother. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 Handley Funeral Home, Danville WV with Minister Randall Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Park, Madison. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to West Virginia Alzheimers Association, 1601 2nd Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387.