Louraine Flatford

Louraine (Lewis) Flatford, wife of the late Johnnie Flatford, and daughter of the late Wavelin and Ethel (Blankenship) Lewis, left the loving arms of her family on March 27, 2023, to be welcomed into her eternal home in heaven. There surely was a crowd of her family, friends, and our dad, waiting for her arrival. While there is heartache and tears on earth, there is nothing but joy in heaven. She was born July 10, 1933, in Blaze, KY. Our parents were married on July 30, 1955. Mom would have celebrated her 90th birthday this year.

Our precious mom, G-Lou, Gigi won so many fights for her life over the last several years that defied all odds. This final battle was one we felt in our hearts might be the last one. We never told her that. If she had one more fight left in her, who were we to take that hope? There is no doubt that spiritually she was ready and has been all her life. Our mom loved and adored her family. Winning so many battles was because she never ever wanted to leave us. Her family was her reason for living. The pain and discomfort that she endured so many times just to stay with us is what we will hold close in our hearts and will get us through. We were what she lived for. Her greatest reward in life and she would voice this any time she got the chance, was her girls and their husbands, her grandkids, and great-grandkids. Growing up we just saw her as our mom who was always there when we got up and always there when we went to bed. She made sure we were never hungry, we were always clean and well behaves. We did not realize until our adult years the sacrifices she made for us to make sure we were always taken care of without even knowing how bad she might have felt or how difficult things were during that time of growing up. She was concerned with nothing but taking care of us and helping us grow up to be her girls. It didn't end with just us. Then came the husbands, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She took care of our kids for as long as we needed her and then wished she was still able to take care of the great-grandkids. She dedicated her life to us. Our charge until we join her will be to continue to be the girls, sons-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids that she left this earth loving more than anything. The past 18 months were full of so many life-ending health challenges that each time we got to bring her back home, we were grateful and mystified. We will never forget how hard she fought, the pain she endured, and the victories she achieved for more time with us. Mom, G-Lou, and Gigi, know that there will not be a day that we do not think about you and grieve your loss with smiles and tears. But you will be with each and every one of us through the love and values you instilled. A statement mom's doctor made stuck with us during these last months. It really summed up why the fight to stay with us was present even in the darkest of times. While just knowing mom for a very short time, during one of our tearful hallway conversations about how dire the situation was and her desire to continue the fight, he said, "she has the heart of a mother". She does indeed.

Left to continue being the best people we can be here on earth to honor are her daughters, Patti Rose (David), Teresa Dulworth (John), and Melissa Crull (David). Grandchildren, David Rose (Stacy), Mandy Mock (Kenny), and Ashlee Moore (Kevin). Great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Sara, and Julia Rose, Owyn and Kennedy Mock, and Tate Moore. Siblings, Jay (Wanda) Lewis, Bonnie (Darrell) McKenzie Pelfrey, Rex (Donna) Lewis, Sisters-in-law, Sue Lewis, Janice Lewis, and Betty Flatford. Brothers-in-law, Clifford Slaven, Carl and Kathy Flatford, Mack and Wanda Flatford. Also a wonderful host of nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Others waiting for her on the morning of March 27, 2023, were siblings, Frederick Lewis (Jeanette), Jackie Lewis, Betty Lewis (Winston), Roberta Nipper (Kenny), Billy Lewis, and brother-in-law Ronald McKenzie. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Ollie Jo Slaven, Geneva and Aril Sexton, Wendy and Bob Patton, Pauline and Freeman Bailey, Sam and Bessie Flatford, Conda and Ruby Flatford, Wardell and Beulah Flatford, and Luke Flatford.

She also had so many other family members and friends that we know will miss her dearly. In keeping with her wishes as we did all throughout her care, her farewell will only be with her very immediate family. That is how she wanted it and we will honor her wishes. If you knew our mom, G-Lou, Gigi, just know that she appreciated anyone who befriended her or loved her. We appreciate everyone who came to visit our mom over the past many years and especially during these last two. Let your final goodbye to her be to think about her on July 10. Send her love and remember your best memory of her. We want to thank most of her caregivers over these months....especially those who allowed her to continue to fight on her terms and God's plan.