Lorraine Wade

Lorraine Wade was born on October 1, 1939 to Fred Williams and Pearline Carter in East St. Louis, IL. She was

the eldest of two sisters, Lenora Cook and Paula Carter. Lorraine was very fond of her grandmother, Henrietta Coleman, who played an intricate part in her childhood upbringing because of the unbreakable bond they shared.

After completing high school, she decided to pursue her passion of being a coiffure and started attending Love Joy School of Cosmetology in East St. Louis, IL. To coincide with her ability to style hair, she was an amazing dresser and would wear hats and shoes to match her attires.

Lorraine loved to attend church as a child and at the age of 21, she knew she wanted to live her life serving the Lord and united with Church of God in Christ Congressional under the leadership of the late Bishop Robert Smith in East St. Louis, IL.

Lorraine was happily married to Theodore Sorrell, Sr., until his untimely passing and later married Eddie Wade Sr.

Lorraine and Eddie, Sr., eventually relocated to Joliet, IL with her children where she attended Mars Hill and Grace and Truth Church of God in Christ. The last few years of her life, she attended church service with her son, Eddie Wade, Jr., at Prayer Tower Ministries Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Warren C. Dorris, Jr.

Lorraine was an honorable woman who knew her assignment on earth was to serve all people. She selected jobs that would allow her to help others, especially our youths. Therefore, she centered her attention around younger people because she understood they were “The Harvest”. (Mathew 9:37-38 NIV). She realized by working closely with youths, she would be beneficial to their lives by exemplifying what God’s expectations of all people by being an example, guiding and nourishing their developmental growth.

She accomplished her earthly assignment by working at Felman Early Childhood Center, Guardian Angel Orphanage Home, and Fairmont Elementary School where she worked for over 20 years. She was truly a faithful servant that never murmured or complained about anything, not even through her own personal challenges. One of her most recited sayings was, “If it hadn’t been for God on my side where would I be”.

Lorraine lived her life as a virtuous woman, and she made her transition from her earthly home in Joliet, IL where she resided until the Lord called her to her Heavenly home on October 22, 2023. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Henrietta Coleman; mother, Pearline Carter; father, Fred Williams; late husbands, Theodore Sorrell Sr., and Eddie Wade Sr., aunties, Mattie and Luella; two sisters, Annie Cook and Paula Carter; grandchildren, Louis Jr. and Fontez Hairston, Constance and Jonah Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memories are her beloved children: Donnie (Gwendolyn) Carter, Valerie and Frederick Sorrell, Eddie Jr., Sherri (Eddie Brown), Victoria and Yvette Wade; two close cousins, Barbara Sheffield and Rhonda Coleman; and a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The legacy that Lorraine left for us all to cherish is to live our lives serving the Lord as she did and to reflect on her life by demonstrating love, peace, and harmony. “For with God all things are possible. (Mathew 19:26 NIV).

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