Lorena Custer

Lorena M. Custer, 93, died on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at the Charles House Yorktown Eldercare Residence in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She was born in Oakland, Maryland on March 10, 1922, the second child and only daughter of Benjamin Harry and Ilda Myrtle Baker. Lorena lived in Garrett County until 2006. She married Franklin D. Custer on July 23, 1944, and they enjoyed life together for 62 years. Lorena was a devoted mother of two sons and three daughters, a grandmother of six children, and a great-grandmother of seven children. While caring for her family, she served as a receptionist, secretary, and surgical assistant during Frank's 25 years of veterinary practice. Lorena was well known in the community as a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church and a participant in the Women's Circle. As a Rotary-Ann she supported Oakland's Rotary Club by helping with the annual French Fry Project and serving as 1st mate to Frank and his various activities and leadership roles. When Lorena had time for herself, she loved to quilt. She had a special gift for working with the new cotton fabrics and quilting equipment presented in the 1980's. She thrived while learning new techniques and creating works of art, which she loved to share with family and friends. After Frank died in 2006, Lorena moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She lived with her daughter, Becky, and son-in-law John. She spent many active years attending Charles House Daytime Elder Care Center, which allowed her to make new friends, share her many talents, and participate in community service. Lorena spent her last 4 years living in the Charles House Yorktown Eldercare Home. She enjoyed North Carolina's mild climate and changes of seasons, quilting projects, and putting together her jigsaw puzzles. Lorena was a loving mother, supportive wife, gracious hostess, and wonderful cook for friends and family. Her pies were the "talk of the town." She was the pillar of her family in good times and bad, and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, David and wife Bonnie, Sherry and husband Gary, Patty, Becky and husband John, and Mike and wife Michal; grandchildren, Suzanne Osborne, Carrie Pelton, Ike Pelton, Christina Beesley, Pamela Trangenstein, and Marilyn Custer; great-grandchildren, Brett and Josh Osborne, Corbin and Blake Guthrie, Mason and Blair Pelton, and Jack Beesley; and her only nephew, Paul Baker, and only niece, Charlotte Baker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin D. Custer, in 2006 and a brother, Ralph Baker. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 30th at 2 PM in St Paul's United Methodist Church, 318 E Oak St, Oakland with Pastor Matthew A. Paugh officiating. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Garrett County Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank the many wonderful employees from the Charles House Eldercare Home who helped her in her last years and the team from UNC Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be sent to Charles House Association, 7511 Sunrise Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514. The C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland is handling the arrangements.

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