She was born and lived in Knoxville, Tennessee until she relocated to be closer to her Mississippi family in 2020. Everyone that knew Lorraine, from Tennessee to Mississippi, loved her caring spirit and witty attitude. Lorraine was a member of New Salem Baptist Church and later in life of Stony Point Baptist Church. Lorraine loved her family and friends, and, until she could no longer, showed her love for them by cooking and baking. You could often catch her watching all the cooking shows on PBS. If she wasn’t watching cooking shows, she loved good westerns. She loved nothing more than being with her family and close friends. Anyone that visited her did not leave without knowing how much she cared for and loved them. In her earlier life, she graduated from cosmetology school in Knoxville and was a talented hair stylist and salon owner. She was an avid softball player and enjoyed coaching and supporting local youth softball teams, and also loved to dance. She was very active until Addison’s Disease nearly took her life and ultimately slowed her down.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her mother and father, Arthur L Conner and Mary Lou Conner, and several sisters and brothers. She is survived by her four children, Lori Kerley (Kent), Scott Hancock (Teresa), Kelly Little (Bill), and Mary Beth Hernandez (Julian), and one sister, Mildred Johnson. She is also survived by 14 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren, plus another one due in August.
With her Addison’s Disease, Lorraine’s adult life was filled with many health concerns, but so many compassionate health professionals provided her with amazing care that created the best possible quality of life. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Norris Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Center that cared so generously for our mother from October to December 2020, prior to her relocating to Mississippi. They also want to thank the care team at Diversicare of Eupora in Eupora, MS, for helping Lorraine beat her life expectancy by 5 years, and giving her love, comfort, and friendship until her passing.
In accordance with Lorraine’s wishes, only a graveside service will be held at Thorngrove Cemetery on Saturday, July 22, 2023, beginning at 11:00 am. The service will be officiated by family member, Brother Mike Patty. In lieu of flowers, Lorraine requested that donations be made to either Diversicare of Eupora at https://dvcr.com/locations/eupora/, or The National Adrenal Disease Foundation at https://www.nadf.us/donate.html.
