Obituary - Edith Lorraine (Walls) Pippin
Edith “Lorraine” Pippin, 86, passed away quietly Sunday, February 27, 2011, under the care of LifePath Hospice.
She leaves a legacy of many accomplishments; however, the center of her life was always her family. Lorraine was born February 21, 1925, to Kathleen and Dewey Walls in Porterdale, GA. She moved to Arizona at age 4, after her mother died suddenly in a tragic car accident. Lorraine graduated from Wickenburg High School in 1942, and soon after relocated to Tampa, Florida.
Throughout her life, she faced many challenges but Lorraine always had a strong and adventurous spirit, drive, and enthusiasm for life. In 1944, she met and married her husband of 57 years, Edward H. Pippin, while he was serving in the military and stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. Towards the end of World War II and while her husband was stationed overseas, she and a friend worked as a “Rosy-The- Riveter” in the Tampa shipyards. After the war, she became a “stay at home” wife and mother of three children. Caring for her family became the center of her life. Yet her adventurous spirit never waned. In 1959, when Ed was transferred to Anchorage, Alaska, they packed up the family and traveled cross country pulling a travel trailer and camping along the way. It was a 30 day sight-seeing, fun-filled move the family will always remember. After a further series of moves with the Air Force and upon Ed’s retirement, she and the family returned to Tampa where she made her home for the remainder of her life. Lorraine had an interesting and rewarding career.
Reentering the work force once her children were older, she retired from service with the FBI as the Administrative Assistant to the Special Agent in charge of the Tampa office; the highest level she could achieve without relocating to FBI headquarters in Washington, DC. After her husband’s stroke she became active in “Senior Issues” and a member of several Stroke Support Groups. She was chosen to represent the Tampa Bay Area in Orlando to discuss “senior issues” and stroke related problems with then Vice President, Al Gore. Lorraine moved to University Village after the death of her husband in 2002. With her enthusiasm for life, she became involved in many activities there and served as chairperson of the Welcoming Committee. But throughout, family was her first priority. She encouraged and saw all three children graduate from college with all three earning advanced degrees. Their accomplishments brought her much pride and joy.
She is survived her children: Ginny Lee Yanson, Wesley Chapel, FL; Dr. Kay Pippin Uchiyama, Fort Collins, CO; Michael Edward Pippin, Omaha, NE, and grandson, Edward Garth Yanson, Wesley Chapel, FL. Viewing will be held Thursday, March 3, from 5-7 pm at the Blount Curry Funeral Home located at 3207 West Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL with the memorial service held Friday, March 4, at 10 am. She will be buried at the National Cemetery in Bushnell with her husband, Ed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Life Path Hospice, The Melech House, 11152 52nd Street, Tampa, Florida 33617 or The Children’s Home, Inc., 10909 Memorial Highway, Tampa, Florida, 33615.