Lorraine June Hower

Lorraine June Johnson was born on June 13th, 1926, in Berwyn, Il to Cora and Sunny Johnson. She grew up in her beloved Chicago area with her brother, Robert Johnson. Her father didn't stick around, so Cora raised her two children on her own, and Lorraine found work after high school at the Medina Hotel to help her mother. She went on to become an executive secretary for an oil company in Chicago. On an assignment from her employer, she traveled to Tulsa, OK on business and on that trip, she would meet, date, and fall in love with her future husband, Bob Hower in Tulsa. They later traveled to Hollywood, Ca to be married on "The Bride and Groom Show" on Feb 4, 1949 Bob was a pilot in the Air Force and the two of them lived in many spots around the country as newlyweds. In Oct of 1951, they welcomed their first daughter, Deborah Lee Hower, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., when Bob was stationed at the Pentagon. Lorraine always worried when he flew and convinced him to change career paths. Bob also loved radio, television, and broadcasting, and took an offer to relocate to San Diego, Ca to take a position at KFMB TV. It was there that they bought their first home and welcomed their second daughter, Pamela Sue Hower in March of 1954. Lorraine was an exceptional homemaker and so full of talent. She handmade both girls' wardrobes and all of their Halloween costumes and could even tailor a man's suit. She just didn't know how to sew; she was a master seamstress. Lorraine was also an excellent baker and cook, and our house was the place to be for any birthday party or just a fun place for the neighborhood kids to enjoy themselves. Then Lorraine surprised the family with news of a third child on the way and in August of 1963, Stacey Lynn Hower was born. Always summer, living in San Diego, Lorraine missed the seasons of her beloved Chicago, so in 1968, Bob accepted a position with WGN in Chicago and the family moved to the suburb, Glen Ellyn. She was able to be close again to her mother, Cora, until her death in March of 1969 as well as visit her brother, Robert, in Rockford, until another move brought the family to Tulsa, OK, where Bob became a news anchor for KTUL in 1970. In Tulsa, Lorraine was able to enjoy her love of horses, and enjoyed pleasure Western riding, along with Bob and Stacey. They had four horses. She was also a giant lover of dogs, and the family always knew the love of a dog. Lorraine also loved to play the organ and her music filled our home. She also was an excellent swimmer (she would start her days in Chicago with a swim in Lake Michigan to start her day as a young woman). So, the Tulsa family backyard pool was a favorite place for her. Lorraine also had a keen sense for art, and always thought it would be fun to be a commercial artist. Her so-called doodling's were phenomenal, and we are grateful to have her drawings to treasure. In 1980 her life was turned upside down with the tragic death of her youngest daughter, Stacey, who was thrown from a truck at Lake Keystone at age 16. In the same year she and her husband would divorce. Lorraine remained a private and self-reliant lady, she never remarried. She continued to enjoy her drawing, cooking, and her special love of driving for the sheer pleasure of it. Lorraine was blessed to become a grandmother to daughter Debbie's two children, Whitney Lynn Haldeman in 1987 and later to Dwight Lowell Haldeman (Max) in 1991 in Nashville Tn. She traveled to Nashville when Max was born, and they came for visits when they could to visit Gran in Broken Arrow. Both grandchildren were the happy recipients of Gran's masterful sewing talent with wonderful Halloween costumes and more. She also wrote wonderful poems about them and for them. Daughter Pamela moved back to Tulsa in 2011 from California bringing her father, Bob, back to his hometown after living with she and her partner JD for eight years in Cardiff by the Sea, as he could only remember his earlier years in his beloved Tulsa. Reunited in the same town again, Lorraine would come over to visit her daughter, and was able to rekindle a friendship with her divorced husband until Bob died in September 2012. In 2013, Lorraine moved into a nice complex in Broken Arrow and her daughters both surprised her with a housewarming party. She seemed to enjoy her new place and neighbors and seemed happy. She often got together for meals, a movie or shopping with her daughter Pamela. Lorraine also had a wonderful helper, Sherry, who would come and help her to stay living independentlyand Sherry became a family friend to this day. When Lorraine turned 90, in 2017she was given a gala birthday extravaganza in Nashville at Debbie and Kevin's home. She and Pamela enjoyed the road trip both ways from Tulsa, listening to her favorite singer, Johnny Mathis, the entire way. She had both her daughters and both of her grandchildren all together. It was a wonderful celebration and cause of wonderful memories. The following year, Lorraine had more trouble trying to live independently, and moved into long term care in 2018. She made friends with some residents there and frequently would go for long drives with Pamela, which was always a joy for Lorraine, a lover of cars and driving. Pamela visited her almost every day and Debbie would call from Nashville and have long talks with her. Lorraine adored chocolate and wine, late night talks and snacks with her roommate and loved listening to her many music CDs, mostly Johnny Mathis. And most of all, Lorraine loved her precious Jesus. She would always say she only wanted to live long enough to see him return. In 2022 she moved to a beautiful new care facility that was a better fit for her. At both of her care facilities where she spent her final years living, she was a favorite of all her care givers and hospice teams. She had an enormous sense of humor and never complained. By the grace of God, Lorraine slipped away peacefully on March 16th, 2023, with her beautiful music playing, her daughter Pamela by her side and her daughter Debbie on the telephone. Earlier that same day, she heard the voices of both her beloved grandchildren, Whitney, and Max on the phone. Her body tired, her spirit strong, she was ready for her adventure in heaven and slipped away peacefully, living nearly 97 years. Rest in peace mom. We adore you and have joy in our hearts knowing you are with precious Stacey once again, and lots of family and friends! Lorraine is survived by daughters, Pamela Hower, Tulsa, OK and Debbie Haldeman, Mt. Juliet, TN, grandson Max and wife Kelsey Haldeman, Nashville, Tn and granddaughter Whitney Haldeman, London UK. Private family memorial will be in Nashville, Tn in June.

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Lorraine June Hower

June 13, 1926 - March 16, 2023