Loraine Giles

MARIETTA Loraine "Shorty" Williams Giles, 96, died Monday, June 18, 2012.She was born July 1, 1915 in Harriman, Tenn., to Rufus Clark and Ethel Mae Wilson Williams. She was one of six children, four brothers (Ralph and H.M. who died as teenagers) Harold (wife, Eleanor DeArmond) Williams, R. C. (wife, Violet Christmas) Williams and one sister, Imogene W. Geasland (husband, L.P.) who also preceded her in death.Loraine succumbed to natural causes while a patient at The Fountainview Center for Alzheimers Disease in Atlanta. She moved to Atlanta following the death of her second husband, Robert Edwin Giles Sr., to live with her daughter, Freida Allen Breazeal (husband, John). Her other three children by her first husband, E.R. Allen Sr. are E.R. "Buddy" Allen Jr., of Avon Lake, Ohio, Joy Allen Tabb (husband, W. Bobby), of Camilla, Ga., and Randy R. Allen (wife, Mary Ann Pulliam), of Lawrenceville, Ga. She had two devoted stepchildren, Gayle Giles Kimble, from LaFayette, Ga. and Dr. Robert E. "Ned" Giles Jr. (wife, Patricia Walker) of Chattanooga. Loraine leaves 17 grandchildren and stepgrandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves her brother-in-law, Lt. Colonel Retired, USAF, James J. Allen and his wife, Pauline Burns, her lifelong devoted friend, Mary Sue Wallace; and a former daughter-in-law, Peggy Langer.Loraine grew up in Harriman, Tenn., and reared her four children there. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, a meticulous homemaker and was loved and respected by her family and many friends. She was active in the United Methodist Church for many years having served in the United Methodist Women organization in both the Harriman and LaFayette churches. She enjoyed attending the many activities of her children and grandchildren, playing bridge, antiquing, cooking, and cultivating long time friendships both in Harriman and LaFayette. She worked at Burlington Mills for 20 years and while employed managed to be present at the birth of each grandchild. She remained young in mind, body and spirit and as a younger person once remarked about her, "She was just one of us!" Special recognition birthdays were begun at her 75th milestone and continued to her 95th birthday. On her 90th birthday, 85 of her immediate relatives were present for a family weekend celebration in the north Georgia mountains. Because God blessed Loraine with good health for so many years it is difficult to think of life without her. The wonderful memories she created with those who loved her will continue to bless her family and her wise counsel over her many years will continue to guide them.Arrangements will be directed by H.M. Patterson & Sons in Atlanta, and Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman, Tenn.Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, June 22, at Kyker Funeral Home with internment on Friday at 11 a.m. in Willard Park Cemetery in Harriman.Memorial gifts may be directed to the LaFayette First United Methodist Church, 301 S. Main St., LaFayette, GA 30728; to the Harriman United Methodist Church, 601 Queens Avenue, Harriman, TN 37748; or to the Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.