Jean Lorraine Eakes

Lorraine passed away April 4, 2015 after a valiant effort to recover from complications of a respiratory illness. She was 89, born September 29, 1925, and the first of four children. Her parents were John Caswell Thomas and Helen Naomi (Triplett) Thomas. She grew up in Santa Barbara County and attended local schools. At a young age, she learned how to crochet and she turned it into a lifelong hobby, which gave her and those who received her gifts much happiness. Another favorite pastime was reading. She also felt at peace in a forest, especially among the giant sequoias.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Russell Leroy Thomas, and later, her brother, John Leslie Thomas, in 1977. She became widowed when her husband, Wayne J. Eakes, died on April 4, 1986. Her stepson, Donald W. Eakes died in 1995. She is survived by her stepson, Jim Eakes and his children, Robert Anthony and Sandra Lynn, and her brother Richard Gordon Thomas. She was a wonderful, loving mother to her three children, Catherine Coté, Robert J. Eakes and Carol Eakes, all of whom survive her and will deeply miss her and cherish her memory.

She will be laid to rest at noon on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Santa Maria Cemetery, 1501 S. College Drive, Santa Maria, California, under the direction of Draper Mortuary of Ontario, California.