Lorain Ellis Fowler

After a long and happy life, our mother, Lorain Ellis Fowler, died peacefully Sunday evening, October 6, 2024. She was 97 years old. Lorain was born in Bartow, Florida on April 4, 1927, the first child of William Mack Ellis and Mabel Tompkins Ellis. She was followed shortly by her baby brother Pat, whom she adored. After the family moved to Jacksonville, Lorain attended John Gorrie Junior High School and Lee High School. After graduation, she worked for an accounting firm In Jacksonville.

One weekend in 1946, Lorain and a friend visited Gainesville. Always a petite beauty, she caught the eye of a tall, handsome University of Florida senior. Mother said it was love at first sight, and she married our father, John Fowler, a year later. They were happily married for 63 years until Daddy’s death in 2010.

A devout Christian, Lorain was a long-time active member of Southside Baptist Church, and a Sunday school teacher for many years. She instilled a love for God and duty to her family. She was always profoundly devoted to her family. She adored her grandchildren, her great-grands, and her brother’s six children. No child could ever ask for a better Mimi and Aunt Rain. Lorain maintained a close relationship with her friends, as well as her many cousins, whom she loved dearly. She was well loved in return, and will be missed by all who knew her.

Mother found great joy in tending her many flowers and plants, spending happy hours digging and weeding her garden. Her green thumb was legendary. Lorain was also a superb homemaker, keeping an immaculate and attractive home, open to frequent family gatherings.

Lorain was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John; her brother Pat Ellis and her sister-in-law Ernestine Ellis; her nephews Keith Ellis and Timothy Ellis; and her niece Susan Ellis. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Marcelle Armes (Bruce) and Julie Kanner; three grandchildren Amanda Armes Royce, Matthew Armes (April Johns), and Zachary Kanner; five great-grandchildren Aubrey Armes-Johns, Breckin Armes-Johns, Alicia Royce, Bo Royce and Ethan Royce; nieces Diane Ellis Miller (Jack) and Rebecca Ellis Foster (Larry); nephew Randolph Ellis (Janet); and also several nieces and nephews from the Fowler family in Alabama.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, October 14, 2024 at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 PM.