Lorene Sowder Pearman died peacefully at her daughter’s home at the age of 95, on Saturday, April 8, 2023, from heart failure.
Lorene was born in Montgomery County, Va., on December 28, 1927, to John Lee Sowder and Nora Effie Whitlock Sowder. Karetta Whitlock Sisson and Dudley Ralph Sisson, her mother’s sister and her husband, raised Lorene after her mother died in childbirth. After graduating from Shawsville High School, she began working at the Bank of Shawsville and spent her career there as head teller, becoming an integral part of the daily lives of the residents in and around Montgomery County.
She married her across-the-street neighbor, James E. Pearman, Sr., in 1947. They shared 63 years of marriage until Jim’s death in 2010.
Lorene was a loving wife and mother who balanced raising three children with working full time and excelled at both. She was kind, compassionate, and soft spoken, which belied her strong will and quick wit. She never complained and always appreciated everything and anything she received. She loved her family and demonstrated her love with actions as well as words. Whether it was getting up early to help deliver papers for her son’s paper route, letting an anxious 5-year-old crawl into bed, or having an open door whenever her children or grandchildren needed her, she always put her family first. Lorene was the center of the Pearman family gatherings and hosted numerous family holiday celebrations over many years. Her hands were rarely idle. Whether baking chocolate chip cookies, sharing her famous pecan pies, or sewing her latest quilt, she shared her love and kindness through her handiwork. Many friends and family were blessed to receive one of her beautiful quilts, every stitch affectionately sewn by hand. Lorene loved sports. Her favorites were ACC college basketball, Virginia Tech football, and pro football. She attended every Virginia Tech home football game until age 93. She appreciated the beauty of nature. Flowers, sunny days, singing birds, winter snowfalls, and fall foliage always brought her joy.
Lorene is survived by her three children, Jim (Brenda) Pearman, Ruth Keeling, and Steve (Susan) Pearman; two grandchildren, Deidre (AT) Willis and Morgan Pearman (Brian Gwiazdowski); four great-grandchildren, Vincient Keeling, JaCori Willis, Sincere Willis, and Connor Gwiazdowski; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews within the Sowder, Sisson, and Pearman families.
She was predeceased by her husband, James E. Pearman. Sr., grandson, Cory James Keeling; and her Sowder and Sisson brothers and sister.
Services will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 11 a.m. at White Memorial United Methodist Church, 4073 Old Town Road, Shawsville, Va. A reception luncheon will follow at 12 Noon at the Meadowbrook Community Center, 267 Alleghany Spring Road, Shawsville, Va. A private burial ceremony will precede the church service. Visitation is on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, 305 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Va.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Camp Alta Mons, 2842 Crockett Springs Road, Shawsville, Va. 24162; Eastmont Community Foundation, 267 Alleghany Spring Road, Shawsville, Va., 24162; or White Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 217, Shawsville, Va. 24162.
Lorene’s family wants to express their appreciation for the professional and loving care provided by her Home Instead caregiver, Alexis, and members of the Carilion Hospice team. Their care allowed for a peaceful transition at home, giving the family lasting memories to cherish for a life well lived.