LORAINE OXLEY TRAMMELL

1920-2017

Loraine Oxley Trammell passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on September 23, 2017 in San Antonio. She was born in Waco on May 30, 1920 to Albert Charles Oxley and Clara Caledonia Barnett. Loraine grew up surrounded by a large and loving extended family who gathered regularly at her father’s farm, Honey Creek, in Hico, Texas. The Oxley family settled there after emigrating from Switzerland in the mid nineteenth century.

As a sunny third-grader, “Punkie” caught the eye of James Luther Trammell, Jr. She would later recount: “Everywhere I went, I turned around and he was there.” Luther diligently pursued her throughout their school years. Only upon completing her Bachelor’s degree at Baylor University in 1942 did she consent to be his wife. As newlyweds, they relocated to New Orleans, where they lived at the Roosevelt Hotel, sparking a life-long love affair with the city. When her husband was dispatched overseas, Loraine worked as a school teacher, fastidiously saving the money that they would eventually use as a down payment on their first house. Following the war, the young couple founded their home in Houston, where Luther began what would prove to be a prosperous career as a frozen food broker.

Loraine’s family remembers her as a great lady of talent and virtue. Possessed with considerable physical beauty

and personal style, she would always say, “Pretty is as Pretty does”. Each day, she rose at dawn to read her Bible and pray. She found joy in loving God and people through First Presbyterian Church, the Bayou Bend Docent Program, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She had an inquisitive mind and sought out adventure through travel and service to others until old age deprived her of that ability. “I have lived a charmed life”, she reflected, with gratitude, in recent months. A wide and engaging smile was her hallmark up to her final days.

Loraine had an astute eye for all things beautiful and an ability to elevate any experience into something truly special. Her presence alone warmed her home, which often smelled of cookies baking in the oven or tortilla soup. As a grandmother of five, her

affection and antics produced hours of fun, even if merely reading aloud or playing cards. Appellated “Mo-mommie”, she educated her children and grandchildren quietly and by example. Her character embodied authentic strength in its kindest, most gentle manifestation.

Loraine Trammell is predeceased by her loving husband of sixty-nine years, James Luther Trammell, Jr. She always said, “Home is where Luther is.” Her grieving family takes solace in knowing she is, at long last, home.

Momommie is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to her loving caregiver of nearly seven years, Daisy Llanera, as well as the staff of The Hallmark in Houston and of The Village at Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

A worship celebration of Loraine’s long and happy life will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Houston, 5300 South Main Street on Saturday, October 7th at 11:00 am, Rev. Dr. Jim Birchfield officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests, with gratitude, that memorial gifts be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Houston, Prayers of the People (popministry.org), The Outreach Foundation (theoutreachfoundation.org) or to the charity of one’s choice supporting Hurricane Harvey Relief.