Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Lorraine Ferris Memorial
Lorraine Ferris Memorial

Lorraine Ferris

Lorraine Ferris

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

Lorraine Thelma Ferris was born to Thelma Alma (Weaver) Johnson and Elton Randall Johnson, in Klamath Falls, Oregon on April 5, 1927
That family, along with an older brother, Lloyd E. Johnson, lived on a small fruit farm where they raised turkeys. Elton, who was quite a fisherman, also built several apartment buildings in town. Thelma was a homemaker and helped to work the farm. It was the Depression and times were hard. Sadly, the couple divorced, and Lorraine and Lloyd lived with their mother, between Tucson, Arizona and Southern California. Elton went into dentistry, and remained close with his two children until his passing. Mom (Lorraine) adored her dad.
Mom has shared many memories of her childhood. One was surviving the devastating 1933 earthquake which hit south of downtown L.A. and killed many. Mom and Grandma Thelma were downtown shopping, and in a dressing room when the quake hit. Grandma Thelma rushed 6 year old Lorraine out in the streets to see chaos. All of a sudden, Grandma and mom were shoved violently by a nearby businessman who pushed them from certain death when an awning crashed down, narrowly missing them.
Another memory is going to Jr. High School in Tucson. Times were difficult, and she and her brother would sleep on the porch to keep cool. Grandma Thelma would clean and cook nearby for $3.00 a week, and mom would babysit for 50 cents. She enjoyed friendships in school and attended a Baptist Church at that time, where she accepted Christ. There was a pastor and his wife there who took her under their wing, whom she called Pop and Mom McCorkle. She made lifetime friends with a beautiful girl named Genevieve, who married Ken Vermillion. They had 3 sons who became family friends of Mom (Lorraine) and Dad’s (Mynard) children. Only the youngest Vermillion son, Greg, survives.
Mom was Aunt Lorraine to her brother Lloyd and Betty Johnson’s two of California, Lelanie and Randall (Randy). She loved them very much, and often spoke to me of her care for each. She would try to stay connected with them as they didn’t live close by, and each time she spoke with one, she would call me, her daughter, to tell me how they were doing. Both reached out to my mother, their aunt, at difficult times, and they were appreciated, valued and loved.
Lorraine dearly loved her cousin (Christine) Louise and spent much time together while living in Long Beach together. Louise married Jimmy Sadler and had three girls, Sandy, Laury and Judy (deceased), who too became close family friends, and still are dear to us. Louise lost her first husband and remarried Charley Gish, bringing Karen and Judy into our lives.
During WWII, mom worked at the Army depot in Long Beach. Awfully pretty and outgoing, she was a favorite in the office, where she worked hard doing secretarial work for the war. Mom would attend the dances to entertain the soldiers, which were “strictly chaperoned!”. She loved to dance, and would always needle dad that he wouldn’t dance at their wedding. During this time working and living in Long Beach, she was encouraged to write a soldier named Mynard Ferris, Jr. Grandma Thelma was dating his father, Mynard Ferris, Sr. So, on a lark, mom wrote to dad, as she did to other soldier boys. I believe that’s when dad fell in love with mom, through their letters. He would pour out his heart to her, making it through the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and more. Earning the Bronze Star and other citations, he was truly a hero among men, and humble. Dad was a Lath and Plaster by trade from the state of Illinois, as was his father. Returning to California after the war, he met Lorraine. She recalls, “After meeting me, Mynard INFORMED me that I was going to marry him! I sort of laughed.” She had a very serious boyfriend at that time named Jimmy, who too just returned from the war. Visiting mom before returning home to Tuscon, grandma Thelma allowed Jimmy to sleep on a cot in the living room. Mynard came over that evening, and asked Jimmy what he was doing there with his fiancee, focusing a very stern look upon Jimmy. Well, Jimmy gathered his things and quickly left, and that was that. Mom and Dad were married at the Normandie Chapel in Long Beach on January 26, 1946.
Dad and mom then raised 4 children in Orange County, California, Daniel, Stephen, Suzanne and Christine. One child, Andrew Scott, born last and who went to be with the Lord. Mom taught Sunday School at the First Assembly of God Church in Garden Grove. She loved music, and sang in the choir, occasionally asked to be a soloist. Mom worked part time at various jobs, keeping up with her secretarial skills. Mom loved gardening and plants, and was a very good cook. She liked to read and collect new recipes. Mom always took care of her appearance, and at 90, was still a “pretty woman” said by many who knew her in Illinois. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. She was known for remembering these with her little gifts and faithful cards, which she would choose carefully, and thoughtfully select a special verse for the recipient. Mom was a loyal friend to those who were in her circle. She will look forward to meeting her dear, special friend and neighbor, Vilma, on the other side.
Above all, Mom loved Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. She would always say she wasn’t a very good reader, however her final years were spent reading the scriptures often. She loved to talk about the scriptures, had lots of questions, and welcomed different perspectives on a passage. She enjoyed learning new things in the Word, and the Holy Spirit revealing these to her would make her excited and happy. She knew exactly where she was going, and in time for her anniversary on January 25, she stepped peacefully into glory to meet her Lord, her husband of 68 years, her son Andrew, and a host of dear ones gone before. She will be missed sorely by her loved ones, but we will all be together soon enough, perfected in His Love. Good-bye for now, mom, grandma, and great-grandma, you are loved.
Viewing and friends and family will gather at Lemley Chapel on Saturday, February 3 at 12 noon. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Visitation will be available on Thursday & Friday February 1 st & 2nd from 9am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 9am to 1 pm.

Guestbook

  • Jayme Powers

    I remember Lorraine, the mother of my dear friends, looking very lovely at our church in California as I was growing up. She was always very sweet to me. She really loved the Lord and served him. I know she is rejoicing as she is now whole, free of any pain and with loved ones who are also what the Lord.

  • Josh Cender

    Goodbye grandma, you were loved and are missed. Like many others in your life you never missed a birthday without a gift or card, a regular reminder of thought and care for us that I’ll always remember you fondly for.

  • Greg Vermillion

    Lorraine was one of the sweetest, loving and most thoughtful people I have known over these many years. I have many wonderful memories of Lorraine over the 61 years that I knew her and was privileged enough to experience her love and kindness. I remember as a child going to California with my family and feeling so overwhelmingly welcomed in her home. Her love and thoughtfulness continued through the years and Lorraine never failed to send me a card at Christmas and on my birthday and always wrote a very nice note expressing her love and encouragement to me along with an encouraging Bible verse. Lorraine was certainly that light on a hill that shone brightly for all to see. She was a great reflection of our Lord Jesus and she has inspired me to be a better reflection of our Savior too.
    Now, I’m finding myself repeatedly singing an old Hymn with the words:
    “When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be.
    When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory.”
    Lorraine is now singing and shouting the victory!

  • Trisha (Ferris) Jones

    Oh sweet Grandma, it is hard to imagine this world without you in it. I will dearly miss our conversations. I have been so blessed to have you in my life. You were such a prayer warrior and always took time to pray with me when needed. I will never forget the amazing way the Lord used you in my life. I can’t wait till the day I get to see you and hug you again!!

  • Dorothy Moller

    My thoughts and prayers are with Lorraine’s family, may you have peace knowing that she is in a better place. Lorraine left a wonderful legacy. Her daughter Susanne, son-in-law Mike, their children and their families are a wonderful example of love, kindness and beautiful spirit that has been passed down from children to grandchildren. I was blessed to know Lorraine through Suzanne and Mike and I know that we will all see her again one day.

  • Susan R. Gaesser

    Lorraine would always have a smile for me with encouraging words for the day. She had a way of making you feel like you were the best part of her day!
    I knew struggled with aches and pains for many years but would always try to think past herself to others and their needs.
    I’ll remember her as a lady of prayer and the Word of God because every time we conversed, usually both would be shared.
    She loved God and Jesus Christ her Lord.
    HER LIFE STILL SPEAKS❤️ (Heb. 11)

  • Laury Sadler Feiner

    Lorraine, as my Mom’s first cousin, was more like her best friend and sister. We spent a lot of time with the family when I was growing up. I can remember that house in Anaheim like it was yesterday. I am so happy that she is now in Heaven with my Mom and her other loved ones.

    As others have mentioned, the annual birthday card always came with the her special little note written inside. I remember she couldn’t believe how old Chris and I were getting!!! And this was at the time you didn’t want to be reminded 🙂

    I am looking forward to the day we have our family reunion in Heaven. Family and Friends, see you there –

  • Vanessa Ruhlig

    What a sweet, precious Mom and Grandma! It was such a joy to get to know her a little bit during her time with Cender’s in Illinois. She had such spunk and a sweet spirit. The verse that comes to mind when I think of her is
    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
    16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
    It was obvious in our few chats together how much she loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and how much she enjoyed praying. Jesus loves you all and may you feel His loving arms around you giving you His comfort, peace and strength as we know how much you miss her!

  • Jared D Cender

    Hi, my name is Jared Cender, grandson of Lorraine and reside in Illinois. When my grandfather passed away a few years ago I was upset that I didnt get to spend time with him in the years before he passed due to the long distance between us. I cherish the time that I got to spend with grandma before she passed away this month and will miss her dearly.

  • Karen Gish

    “Aunt” Lorraine as I always called her was so wonderful to me! She welcomed me into the family after my sweet Daddy (Charlie) married my wonderful Mom Louise. She always remembered my birthday for years with a special card. I truly loved her and my “Uncle Mynard” too. They were very special people who loved God with all there heart and showed it to all. I remember staying at there house when our Aunt Madge had a bad stroke with my sister Laury. Lorraine made us feel like family and she did cook wonderful meals! We read a bible scripture every morning also. Sometimes, we would go the the Garden Grove Assembly of God on Sunday nights and visit. I was always so excited because then I got the see Lorraine and the family. My Mom Louise loved her so much and I know that my Mom is very happy that she gets to see her again! Although, we wouldn’t wish her back, we all will miss her. Until we meet again Lorraine, I love you and always will! Karen

  • Rose Cender

    Grandma, knowing you for 3 1/2 years is such a blessing to me!! we had a lot of ups and downs but we still made lots of fun memories. I wont forget the moment before dinner. I asked my mom if can i have some artichokes. Since there’s three of them so my mom asked me to go ahead and make her one and asked grandma if she would like one.. asked her and she couldn’t understand what i was asking her
    I said “Grandma, would you like some artichokes?” and grandma replied ” Icy toes?” I kept asking her I even trying to tell her word by word ” ar-t-chokes”. But she’s keep saying “ICY TOES?” she still did not get it. I’m start giving up and I told my mom she can go ahead and tell her for herself, she said I can just go ahead and tell her. By the eleven times I told her, I gave up. So I went to the fridge and just grab it and showed it to her. Finally she got it, but she told me, “artichokes, I thought you keep telling me icy toes”..
    Another one was when I made some smoothie and mom said make one for grandma. So after I made it, mom gave it to her! Mom said to grandma “Hey mom your smoothie is in your room” and grandma replied with a frowny face and said, ” Susie in my room?”.. There are more good funny memories we got it might take me all day telling all of them! So grandma I can’t wait to see you again soon in Heaven with all our family that I haven’t met and my sister that I never knew. We all love you, and you have impacted my life in the past 3 1/2 we meet and the day you become my grandma and I become your granddaughter.

  • Sarah Clare

    Sweet Lorraine ♥️
    What a joy and a gift it has been to share some time with you here on Earth before your journey to see our Lord♥️
    Your smile, amazing attitude and faith inspires me and so many around you! Thank you, Lord for blessing so many with Lorraine ♥️

  • DANIEL CRAIG FERRIS

    So glad to know that Mom, you are with our Savior and in His arms for eternity. We miss you but we know you are in good hands.
    See you soon!

  • Sarah Clare

    Sweet Lorraine ♥️
    It has been a true honor to have met you at the end of your earthly life here in Illinois ♥️ I’m so grateful to have had chats with you, I wish they could have been longer. You always had a beautiful smile even through all of your health complications. You inspired many with your faith and trust in our heavenly father ♥️. I’m smiling thinking that you are reunited with your loved ones, knowing one day you will have your entire family and friends together again. ♥️
    Until then, I will remember what a God’s girl you were(and still are at the foot of His throne) …I will remember how impecably put together you were and how you always looked at least twenty years younger than you were…yet always up for anything♥️Thank you, Lord for Lorraine♥️

  • Lelanie taylor

    Rest in peace Dear sweet aunt Lorraine. You are with our Lord and savior. See you again someday.

  • Randy Johnson

    January 29, 2018

    Our Condolences to your Family at this turning point in time.
    Lorraine, My Fathers Sister, was my Aunt along with my Sister Lelanie.

    Lorraine was very Special to my Sister and I throughout our entire lives.

    Thank you Christine for keeping all of us informed in the final hours we spent Praying for and Loving your Mom.
    I’m sure your Mother felt so much more comfortable and appreciated being at Home with her family in familiar surroundings.

    The Lord let Lorraine stay and spread his message as long as he could. It was time for her to come home to him.
    I’m sure my Mom & Dad and many others will be very excited to see her.

    For my entire Life Lorraine never once forgot mine or my Sister Lelanie’s Birthday’s and “Always” wrote me wonderful letters about her Brother,
    (My Father) Lloyd and all of the members of our families.

    In our Last conversation two months ago we had such a good talk.
    I am so grateful for this opportunity❤️+❤️

    What a great example Lorraine was for all of us to emulate!

    Goodbye for now Aunt Lorraine, so much Love and Respect, you always made me want to be a better person.??

    I love you!

    Randy

  • David Cender

    Mom loved to go to friday fish fry at Cracker Barrel and talk about some of her memories. She never missed a chance when the weather was nice and the sun was shining to walk around the farm, say “Hi”to great grandkids she saw and smell any flowers that happened to be near her path. She certainly enjoyed her Christian programing, old movies and of course all the back rubs she could get!

  • christine Cender

    Mom, we will miss you very much. The sadness we experience pales in comparison of the joy and wholeness you are experiencing now with our Lord and your loved ones. We will all be together someday soon…..and what a gathering that will be!

  • Barbara Unzicker

    Lorraine loved her Lord and loved to talk about Him. I will treasure our little talks in her bedroom — we would talk and laugh and talk some more about our Great Lord and his abundant love for us all!