Lorraine Giddens Crosland

Lorraine Mikell Giddens Crosland (Rainey), 101, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 11, 2017 at the family home on LaVilla Road. Lorraine was born in Tampa, Florida on November 21, 1916 to Laroux (L.B) and Mary Elizabeth Giddens. She was the great granddaughter of Joel Knight, one of the first settlers of what is now known as Charlotte Harbor. She spent her childhood in Tampa until the family returned to Punta Gorda when she was in her teens. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1935 and on September 23, 1937 married her husband of 57 years, Thomas Monson Crosland (Buster). Together they would endure the loss of their first child, a son Anthony, soon after his birth. They went on to have five beautiful daughters. Lorraine was a loving wife and mother and an accomplished equestrian and an artist. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Punta Gorda. Most of Lorraine's summers were spent making cherished memories with her children and grandchildren in Ridgecrest, NC where she and Buster owned a summer house. Her beauty and spirit never faded for over a century and will always be remembered and cherished by those who's lives she has touched.

Lorraine is survived by her daughters, Paige (Charles) Polk, Sharon (Steve) Summers, Pamela (Jody) Bicking, Cecelia (Robert) Donald and Genie (Benny) Sheene; grandchildren; Michael Polk (Jeannine), Paul Polk (Vicki), Breck Hankison (Minerva)

Tamie Tacco (Justin), Stacy Sheene, Joel Beverly (Rita), Julian Beverly (Amanda), Trevor Bicking (Janell), Alex Donald and Evan Donald (Helen); great grandchildren; Emory Polk, Crosland Polk, Grant Polk, Kalie Hankison, Megan DeVries (Craig), Mandy Hankison, Madison Hankison, Zoe' Tocco, Brooke Bicking, Carter Below, Chloe Below, Justin Beverly, Olivia Beverly, Cecila Beverly, Jadea Beverly, Jackson Beverly, Jayce Beverly, Lisa Rose Beverly, Mathieu Beverly; great great grandchildren; Kalum Lowe, Kevin DeVries and Bently DeVries; as well as a nephew, Gregory (Jane) Giddens.

She is preceded in death by her son Anthony, husband Thomas January 1994 and her four brothers, Francis, Wallace, LB and Earle Giddens.

A private service will be held by the family for Lorraine. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in memory of their loved one to Tidewell Hospice at tidewell.org.