Lorraine Coleman Gowder

SPANISH FORT  Lorraine Coleman Gowder, age 95, a native of Clarke County, AL. and a resident of Spanish Fort, passed away Monday, March 31, 2014, at Bay Ridge Skill Care facility of Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, AL. Lorraine attended Alabama College (now the University of Montevallo) in Montevallo, AL.  After college, she worked in Monroeville, Al.  It was there she met her husband, Luther E. Gowder.  They were married in September 1941 and remained married for 64 years until Luther’s death in December 2004.  She became a military spouse while her husband trained for and served in the U.S. Army in World War II. After the war, she and her husband began their civilian life.  They reared two daughters, while living many years in both Eutaw and Evergreen, AL.  Lorraine always supported her daughters in everything they did.  She was an active member of Eutaw United Methodist Church.  She taught the four and five year old Sunday classes for many years and vacation bible school in the summers.  She was active in the church women’s group (which is now known as United Methodist Women).  After moving to Evergreen, AL. in 1964 she was an active member of the    Evergreen United Methodist Church in many capacities.  She and her husband moved to Spanish Fort, AL in 1991.  They joined Spanish Fort United Methodist Church where she has remained a member until her death. Lorraine and her husband made many new friends while living at Westminster Village Retirement Community.  She is preceded in death by her parents E. V. and Lettie Coleman; husband Luther E. Gowder and granddaughter Ellen S. Hinson. Lorraine is survived by daughters Sue G. (Charlie) Armstrong of Pensacola, FL., Ruth G. (Leon) Hinson of New Orleans, LA.; grandchildren Jay (Michelle) Armstrong of Brandon, MS, Alison (Clay) Mather of Pensacola, FL., Matthew Hinson of New Orleans, LA; great-grandchildren MaryLynn Mather and Denton Mather both of Pensacola, FL. The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Varden, the staff of Westminster Village Assisted Living, the staff of Bay Ridge Skilled Care, the nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice for all the wonderful love, concern and care given to our mother.  She could not have been in better care. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, 27409 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL.  The Reverend Debora Bishop will be officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, from 1:30-2:00 pm. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens of Fairhope.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the United Methodist Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL. 36106-2607, Telephone: (334) 386-5354. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 27409 HWY 98 DAPHNE, AL  36526 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com