Frances Lorraine Pearson Powers, born August 30, 1927 to the late James Barton Pearson and Lillian Salome Carmack Pearson transitioned from this life to the next on  Monday, October 5, 2020, at the blessed age of 93 years old.

Lorraine grew up in the Gravel Town Community of Rogersville, Tennessee.  She was educated in the public schools of Hawkins County and attended Morristown Junior College. Lorraine accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Hasson Street Christian Church, but she also attended and worked in the other churches in the community, namely Russell Chapel AME Zion and the First Presbyterian Church.

Lorraine was a loving wife, mother, Nana, Great-Grandmother, Cousin, and friend to many. Blessed with a beautiful voice, she used it quite frequently to sing in the churches in Rogersville, TN and was often called upon to sing at church worship services, weddings, and community functions here in South Pittsburg also.

Lorraine was the first African American female police officer hired on the South Pittsburg Police force.  From the police department, she moved to City Hall and worked as a clerk for the city of South Pittsburg until she began working at South Pittsburg Elementary School as a Teacher Assistant helping to teach children how to read.  She has helped educate at least three generations of children.

This job developed in her a passion for helping struggling students with reading problems and led her to form a non-profit organization called E.Y.E.S.  (Educating Youth Ensures Success).  The goal of that program was to provide learning opportunities for the children in the community with a focus on eliminating illiteracy. This program provided many other services to the children and the community for a period of 19 years.

Throughout the years, Lorraine dedicated her life to working in organizations that were close to her heart, especially the Friends of Black Children organization.  She was a faithful member of the Brakebill AME Zion church, and held many  offices in that church to include head Deaconess, President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society, as well as serving on other committees both at the local and state level.  She worked tirelessly in local Democratic politics and elections.  Lorraine was a member of Ruth Chapter 101 of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Red Hat Society, a Paul Harris Fellow, and was the third recipient of the Isabel award given by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce.  Governor Phil Bresden selected her as a Governor's Volunteer Star for Marion County in recognition of her work with children in her E.Y.E.S. Program.  Lorraine was a true public servant.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, James  Barton and Lillian Salome, her brother, James Barton Pearson, Jr., daughter, Cecilia Glenn, sons, John Reid, and Carl Tyrone Powers.

She is survived by her husband, Monroe Powers, and five daughters: Patricia P. Woods (Larry), Marilyn P. Batts, Gloria P. Batts, Suzanne Pearson, and Veronica Curtis-Richie (Willis): five sons; Michael J. Pearson (Nancy), Willard V. Powers (Marilynn), Stanley "Todd" Powers, Anthony B. "Tony" Powers , and Terry R. Powers (Renee), brothers-in-law Donald L. Powers (Carolyn) and Charles E. Powers (Annie), special cousins Donald Carmack (Marva), Dorothy Carmack, and a very special young man who brought joy, laughter, and love to their lives, David Lee Ridley.

Additional surviving family members include 19 grandchildren:  Krista W. Manns (Russell), Chad Woods, Janee Murphy, Brandi Pearson, Christopher Pearson (Maria), Nicholas Pearson, John Michael Powers (Yidera), Sean Powers, Courtnie Pacarar (Michael), Josh Powers, Tasha P. Davis (Damien ) Stanly Curtis Jr., Terry Batts (Tia), Tracy B. Bosley (Robert),  Tommy Batts, Jr., Tomeka Powers, Tara B. Smith (Bryan), Vershaun Powers,  Marlando Powers (Tiffany),  and 15 great grandchildren.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home 400 Laurel Avenue, South Pittsburg, TN.  A public viewing will be held on Friday, October 9  from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.    A private service for the family will be held on Saturday October 10 in the Chapel at Rogers.   Interment will be at Cumberland View Cemetery.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, attendees at the viewing and cemetery are encouraged to wear a mask and social distance.

The Powers family would like to convey their heart-felt thanks to Hearth Hospice workers, especially Caitlin Grider, Lexie Finkle, Cierra Buckner,  Paige Scott and Dawn Jacques for their services.  Several of them having been students Lorraine worked with in elementary school.  We are also grateful to Kristina Hughes and Tatiana Burg of the Right-At-Home Organization for their support and assistance and the loving care and comfort they provided during her illness.  A special acknowledgement of gratitude to Ms. Betty Joe Pearson for her loving support and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hearth Hospice, 1800 Rossville Avenue, Suite 114,  Chattanooga, TN 37408.  Condolences and memories can be shared at www.rogersfuneralhome.com