Lorene Allen Pittman

Lorene Allen Pittman was born December 15, 1931, in Somerville, Tennessee, to Essie Mae Montague and David Louis Allen. She was the second eldest of eight children in a loving family that valued faith, education, and community.

Lorene grew up attending Farris Chapel Church of God in Christ in Somerville, Tennessee, where she was baptized at an early age. Her faith and church upbringing helped shape the values that guided her throughout her life. She was an active member of Brunswick Presbyterian Church and then First United Presbyterian Church of Gary for more than 40 years until it closed. She then joined St. Timothy Church where she was active with the Goldtimers until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

She attended Fayette County Training School and later continued her education at Lane College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Indiana University Northwest with a Master’s Degree in Education. Lorene devoted her professional life to education, serving as an elementary school teacher for more than 35 years. Her teaching career took her from Somerville, Tennessee, to Chicago, Illinois, and eventually to Gary, Indiana. Throughout her years in the classroom, she poured into generations of students, leaving a legacy of knowledge, care, and encouragement.

Lorene met fellow educator Jonathan Tolar Pittman while substitute teaching in the same building in Chicago. They were married October 9, 1960. To this marriage 3 daughters were born. Education was very important to them. They raised their daughters to never stop learning and this legacy was passed on to their grandchildren, all of whom are college educated.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents Essie Mae (Montague) Allen and David Louis Allen; her brothers David (Jeannette), Samuel (Peggy), Thomas (Rose), and Paul Norris (Geraldine) Allen; her sister Dorothy (James) Hicks; her brother-in-law Richard Jones; and her beloved husband, Jonathan Pittman.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Chevin (Willie) Stone, Portia (Glyen) Holmes, and Pamille (Trummie) Hudson. She was a loving grandmother to Caitlin and Jonathan Stone; Jamila (Jimmie) McClinden; Glyen and Hakeem (Kalauna) Holmes; and James and Jordenne Hudson. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren Zuri and Shiloh Holmes and Josiah and Jianna McClinden.

Lorene is also survived by her sisters Verna Jones and Cletonia (Cameron) Franklin, her special Aunt Thelma Jean McGhee, and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Lorene passed away March 8, 2026, after a 20-year battle with Alzheimer's. She will be remembered for her grace and beauty, love for her family, her dedication for education and the warmth she shared with everyone around her. The love she gave and the lives she touched will continue to live on through the many people who were blessed to know her.

Visitation Monday, March 16, 2026, from noon-8:00pm with Family hour 6:00pm-8:00pm. Homegoing service Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:00am. All services at the Guy & Allen Chapel, 2959 W. 11th Ave Gary, IN 46404. Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery, 4401 W. Ridge Road, Gary ,IN 46408