Lora J. Whiteman Obituary
Lora J. Whiteman passed away the evening of February 26, 2020, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), surrounded by five of the many people who loved her.
Lora was many things to many people throughout her 63 years.
As Lora Jean Groseclose, she was one of five children born to Doratha Kimber Groseclose and Lloyd Henry Groseclose. Throughout her childhood, she joined brothers Gordon and Jerry and sister Marvonne (and occasionally eldest sister Loi Dene, when Loi Dene didn’t remember to pack only sandals) working sheep for their dad, whose brand was a school bell in honor of their schoolteacher mom. She continued working for, and eventually with, her dad for much of the time she lived in Greybull, Wyoming.
She became Lora Ely after she eloped with an airman named Thomas Martin Ely not long after graduating from Greybull High School, much to the consternation of her parents. They had a daughter, Amie, whom Lora raised in Wyoming after Tom was murdered, including for several years in Laramie, Wyoming, where her sisters and niece lived.
After returning to Greybull, she became Lora Whiteman when she married Martin Roosevelt (“Whitey”) Whiteman, after her dad hired him to help with the sheep. Together, they had a son, Daniel, and Whitey brought four wonderful grown children into her life. They moved from Wyoming to West Virginia in the mid-1990s and settled near Knob Fork in Wetzel County. When Daniel was in high school, she went back to college and was an A student (except for math). She was also an honorary “mom” to several of Daniel’s high school wrestling teammates.
As a home health aide in Wetzel County for many years, Lora helped people with everything from carrying out their activities of daily living to understanding and using their medical benefits. Even after her lung conditioned worsened, she continued helping people on the phone.
Throughout her life, Lora was strong through hard times and joyful almost always. She loved without reservation. After raising the two children borne of her body, she and Whitey began raising her two grandnieces—whom she loved very, very much—to be just as strong, loving, kind, and decent as she was. Much to her children’s consternation, she opened her heart and sometimes her home to complete strangers who often became friends.
The family thanks UPMC, especially Dr. Matt Morrell and his team, for treating Lora like family; the family of the donor who gave her six amazing months with new lungs; and her friends at the Wetzel County Committee on Aging, including Regina Derby, who helped take care of her just as she had many others.
Her legacy includes Tationna Adams and Areonna Zarco, whom she was raising as her own; biological children Amie Ely (and fiancé, Jason Smith) and Daniel Whiteman (and companion, Emily Six); step-children Becky Summers (and husband Scott), Martin Whiteman Jr. (and wife Lisa), Debbie Miller (and husband Alan), and Jannie Nice (and husband Rusty); siblings Loi Dene Berkey (and husband Greg), Gordon Groseclose (and wife Debbie), and Marvonne Adams; and mother Doratha Groseclose. She also leaves behind four Groseclose family nieces and a nephew, all of whom she saw through hard times; 10 grandchildren (even though she was never old enough to actually be a grandma); and 21 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father Lloyd, her brother Jerry, and her infant son Benjamin.
Lora also buried two husbands: Tom in 1979 and, at the end of 2018, Whitey, who her new lungs allowed her to care for until the very end. Always the optimist, she said how lucky she was to have had the love of two good men, rather than focusing on what she lost. We will do our best to honor her by doing the same.
Friends may call at the Tennant Funeral Home at 2678 Hornet Highway in Hundred, West Virginia from [2:00 to 5:00 pm] on Sunday, March 1. Funeral services will follow at [5:00 pm], with Lora’s brother Gordon Groseclose officiating and cousin Ralph Walchle delivering her eulogy. Donations in her memory may be made to Family House, where she often stayed for UPMC appointments, at https://familyhouse.org/support/, or to Donate Life, at https://www.donatelife.net/give-to-dla/.
Condolences
I am so sorry. I know it hurts to lose a younger sibling.
My thoughts and prayers And love sent to the family. What a wonderful lady she was. I have wonderful memories of our childhood. I’ll see her again one day.
My sympathy.
So very sorry Becky and family for your loss . It’s so hard watching someone you loose pass . I have lost both my parents , grandparents and mother-in-law’s , with only a 90 year old father n law left . Who is amazing . But it’s hard watching your family get smaller . Many prayers , Brenda Sapp
I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear sister, Loi Dene.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
What a wonderful person, always helpful and willing to listen. So sorry to hear if her passing. God be with Daniel and the family!🙏
so sorry for all our Whiteman family in West Virginia. Your family is in our prayers and comfort for all of you.
So very for your loss. May God go with you in this hard time We love you Becky
I am so sorry to hear Lora lost the battle. She was so positive. She and I used to have such a good time in our high school history class. The world has lost a true gem and I will miss her.
Loi Dene, I am so sorry about the death of your sister, Lora. The memorial was beautifully written. Lora sounded like such a kind hearted, loving and devoted mother, wife, sister and aunt.
May Lora's family be comforted by their memories. May they know the love of God and the compassion of His Son. Lora was the bravest person I know. May she now rest in the love she finds in heaven.
Amie, Michael and I are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. May God bless you. Please tell Gordon we are also sorry. She sounds like a precious woman. Prayers for you all.
Loi Dene and family, I am so sorry for your loss!
We are so very sorry to learn of your loss. Lora gave so much to so many, we know she will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt sympathy & condolences to the family. RIP Lora.
Though I haven't seen her or been a part of her life for so many years, yet memories of Lora always brought a smile to my face. Whether dragging main or plotting plots during track season or just talking about life's important moments, such as boyfriends, moms and dads, what Jesus is like or her sheepdogs. She was a beautiful amazing individual who always had this lovely open, loving and passionate heart. The world has an empty space, we will miss her.
Nanc
I will always remember Lora as the one who helped me through Medicare insurances. She was so kind and such a big help when I needed it. Sincere sympathy to her family in theie time of loss.
She was a wonderful ,beautiful lady who was loved by so many....I loved seeing her and working and talking with her at the Hundred Senior Center...she was missed from the center when she could no longer work....she will forever be remembered...may God comfort her family as they will be going through some rough times ahead adjusting to the loss of a wonderful ,beautiful lady inside and out😢😢
My sincerest condolences.
I met this sweet lady a few times and also had the pleasure of working out alongside her several times @ Physical Therapy, in Pine Grove. I really enjoyed our friendship.
May God rest her soul.
I was very glad to have worked with Lora on the Hundred Public Library Board and she will be greatly missed. She was an asset with her quick mind and grasp of the solutions to any problem. To Aime and Daniel : you have my sincere condolences on the death of your mother and I know that over the years you will find happiness in the great memories of her.
To all of the family. I share your sadness. Randy and I are here if you need anything.
A wonderful legacy of hopefulness & optimism.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lora.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you .
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lora.
I just now learned of Lora's passing and I am so sad to hear. I only met her last fall and spent only a handful of hours with her. Still, we shared memories and stories that touched me and I will treasure the time I spent with her. I didn't know her well but some of the stories we shared were remarkable and powerful and will stay with me forever. I wish I had time to get to know her better; but I am thankful for the time we had.
You are all in my thoughts. The world lost a beautiful person.