Lorraine Beverly Woltz

On Saturday, March 23, 2024, Lorraine Beverly Stevenson Woltz of Mobile, Alabama passed away peacefully at home after a lengthy illness. She was 86 years old. Lorraine was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, James Thomas (Jim) Woltz. She is survived by 4 children and their spouses, including Kenneth and Michelle Woltz of Colorado; Barbara Woltz Johnson and her husband Myland of Alabama; Robert Woltz and his wife, Vicki, and Perry Woltz and his wife, Vivian, both of Florida. Lorraine is further survived by eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Each of these members of Lorraine’s family will sorely miss her and the gentle, loving, nurturing manner in which she treated everyone she met.

Lorraine was born in Rehoboth, Delaware on April 5, 1937, to the late Robert Edward Stevenson, Jr., and the late Flossie Ella Roach Stevenson. After attending public schools in Rehoboth, Lorraine and her four brothers and two sisters remained close through the subsequent years. They have continued to gather for family reunions whenever possible. Though predeceased by her elder brother, James (Darrell) Stevenson, her remaining siblings, Robert Stevenson III of Delaware; Janet Walker of Illinois; and Joyce Blizzard, Allen (Jay) Stevenson and Jon Stevenson, all of Rehoboth, Delaware will certainly miss their dear sister.

On June 30, 1956, Lorraine was wed to the love of her life, the late Jim Woltz. Together, the couple spent 42 years travelling around the United States with their four children as Jim actively served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. From Brooklyn, New York to Cape May, New Jersey; Groton, Connecticut; Indian River, Delaware; two tours in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; three tours in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Miami, Florida, and Clearwater, Florida, the family always had stories to relay of their adventures. Through the years, Lorraine’s passions for sewing, gardening, crafts, and childcare became increasingly apparent. She was employed by Jo Ann Fabrics and Hawaii’s military Base Exchange system, providing sewing supplies and advice while simultaneously caring for the family and their home.

Throughout their Coast Guard years, Lorraine was recognized and received a plethora of awards as a military spouse for her continuing service to the military and the many individuals with whom she readily became acquainted. Among Lorraine’s awards were the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award and the U.S. Coast Guard Swivel Shot Award. She was similarly recognized as the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District (Miami) Ombudsman, the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District Community News editor, the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District Welcome Wagon organizer, a U.S. Coast Guard Enlisted Wives Club officer, a U.S. Coast Guard Women's Association officer, and the American Logistics Association Outstanding Military Spouse of the Year. While living in Safety Harbor, Florida, Lorraine eagerly played Mrs. Claus to her husband’s Santa whenever they were asked to do so. She was also an American Red Cross and USO volunteer, a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and a Little League volunteer. Lorraine served as a foster parent for Southeastern Guide Dogs, home training two of their dogs, Juli and Annie. Upon Juli and Annie’s retirement from the Guide Dog program, Lorraine and Jim agreed to adopt them and provide care for them for the remainder of their lives.

Lorraine and Jim’s final major relocation with the military came in 1980 when they left Hawaii for the last time and drove cross country to Miami for Jim’s last military assignment. Lorraine thoroughly enjoyed travelling, and this move became particularly important to her and the family as they enjoyed the experience of visiting many states and the most renowned sites the country has to offer. In December 1995, Jim retired, and the couple decided to make their retirement home in Safety Harbor, Florida, where they lived for the next 24 years.

Lorraine always welcomed their transfers, because she easily made new friends and was always willing to participate in community events and organizations wherever they lived. Of particular note was Lorraine’s dedication to her church, its members, and any church-sponsored activities. She was a founding member of Fresh Start Church in Tampa, Florida and attended Brookside Chapel in Mobile Alabama prior to her passing. Her abiding faith in God and the promised afterlife was always a topic that Lorraine was willing to discuss with anyone, and her lifetime of faith through service was apparent to all she met.

In 2019, as both Lorraine and Jim began to experience a decline in their health, they made their final major home relocation to a cottage in Mobile, Alabama. Following Jim’s passing in 2020, Lorraine moved into the home of her daughter, Barbara, and son-in-law, Myland’s family as her health had significantly deteriorated. For the next three years, Lorraine was lovingly cared for and shown the care and deep respect that she had earned as a devoted wife, mother, and friend to so many during her lifetime.

Arrangements for a service in Northern Virginia are currently pending. Upon the establishment of a firm date and time, Lorraine’s ashes will be interred beside those of her devoted husband, Jim, in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it is the family’s request that donations in Lorraine’s memory be sent to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.