Lorraine Lewis McNeal, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all she ever met, passed away at the age of 97 on January 18, 2024. Lorraine was born on September 14, 1926, in Buffalo, West Virginia to Walter and Ruth Lewis.
Lorraine met her husband, Gilbert (WWII veteran), while attending Rio Grande College in Rio Grande, Ohio in 1946. Lorraine was the homecoming queen that year. They were married in 1947 and spent 56 years together before Gilbert's passing. During their years together, they lived in numerous cities in southern and eastern Ohio. It was in Ohio where their first four children were born (4 sons). In 1965, they moved to Bradenton, Florida, where Gilbert took a position with the newly formed Manatee Junior College. In 1966, they had their fifth child, a baby girl.
Lorraine was deeply religious, attended church regularly and lived her life according to the principles of the bible. She shared her beliefs with her family and friends and taught these principles whenever possible. Lorraine was kind and generous and offered her wonderful sense of humor whenever possible.
Lorraine held numerous office jobs in her life and enjoyed her years working as a librarian at Harllee Middle School. Her favorite role, however, was that of mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was affectionately called "Mimi" by her grandchildren. Her favorite hobby was cooking. She was a wonderful cook and the family always looked forward to her "Beef and Noodles" Sunday dinners.
Lorraine is survived by two sons, Rand E. (MaryBeth) McNeal, and Mont E. (Melissa Caldwell) McNeal and one daughter, Becky (Pete) Minarich. Lorraine was predeceased by her husband, Gilbert, and two sons, Greg and Jack. She is also survived by nine grandchildren; Jack D. (Debra) McNeal, Joe (Nikki) McNeal, Robert (Ashley) McNeal, Jessica (Nick) Chmielarski, Rachel (Piyush) Chandra, Matthew McNeal, Holly (Drew) Booher, Trey Minarich and Olivia McNeal (fiancé Dale Young) as well as 13 great grandchildren.
A Visitation will be 6-8 PM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, and a Funeral Service at 11:30 AM Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207, is in charge of arrangements. The family will hold a private interment ceremony after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Empath Tidwell Hospice (https://empathhealth.org/hospice/).
