Loraine Earnestine Tarrent

Loraine (Acker) Tarrent, 97, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home on November 16, 2025. Known affectionately to many simply as “Grandma,” Loraine was born on November 10, 1928, in Anderson, South Carolina, the second of nine children to John and Geneva Acker.

In 1941, Loraine and her older sister Helen migrated to Toledo, Ohio, to live with Uncle Jim and escape the racially charged deep South. There, she joined Third Baptist Church and the Youth Choir—quickly becoming the self-proclaimed “best jitterbugger at Third Baptist Church.”

Loraine graduated from Libbey High School in 1945 and later attended Mary Manse College. She married the love of her life, James W. Tarrent, in 1950. Together they welcomed two children, Linda and Stanley, and she also lovingly embraced the role of maternal figure to her brothers- and sister-in-law: Gerald, Caroline, and Alvin Tarrent.

Over the years, Loraine lived in Toledo, Nashville, and Los Angeles before settling in Eastern Pennsylvania in the 1960s. She held positions with Rossford Ordnance, Fisk University, and the Tobyhanna Army Depot before making Columbus her permanent home in 1973. Loraine joined the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC), where she worked until her retirement in 1993 and received numerous awards and annual commendations for her outstanding performance.

A devoted member of Brookwood Presbyterian Church, Loraine served faithfully as a Deacon and Elder. She was deeply active in the life of the church—singing in the choir, playing in the bell choir, serving on the Worship Committee, teaching Sunday school, coordinating the acolyte program, participating in Dine-with-Nine, and spending countless Sunday afternoons visiting shut-ins. Within those walls she built treasured, lifelong friendships.

After retiring, she continued serving others by volunteering at Main Street School and Chapelfield Elementary. She also embraced her love for adventure—traveling to her preferred destinations of New York City, California, Las Vegas, and hiking in the Pocono Mountains.

Loraine was best known for her boundless energy, positivity, and zest for life. She took dance and exercise classes well into her 90s, proudly earning the nickname “the crunch queen.” She enjoyed ice-skating, tennis, bowling, and gardening—especially alongside her longtime neighbor Marie Scott. She was known by the neighbors to always be outside, whether it be working in her yard, picking up every loose stick or sweeping her driveway for hours on end.

Fiercely independent, determined, and spirited, Loraine approached life with confidence and humor. She was a natural entertainer with a knack for story-telling—even if it required a little artistic liberty to enhance the entertainment factor—and she never hesitated to make her opinion known (even if you didn’t ask for it). She made it clear that she was going to do things her way and nothing else mattered.

She spent all 97 of her years living life to the fullest—anchored by her faith, devoted to her family, and shining with an energy that will never fade.

Loraine is preceded in death by her husband, James Tarrent; son, Stanley Tarrent; sisters Helen (Louis) Starr, Reba (Lewis) McCullough, Clara Acker, Frances (John) Knox; brothers Nelson (Mary) and James Acker; raised as daughter, Caroline Tarrent; and brother-in-law Gerald Tarrent.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Weldon) Milbourne; raised as son, Alvin (Sharon Carter) Tarrent; grandchildren Kristen Milbourne, Daniel Z. McManus, Donnie (Alicia) Milbourne, and Jessica Tarrent; sister Bernice (Troy) Taylor; brother John Acker; great-grandchildren Davionah, Averic, Anaya, and Anderson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, honorary grandchildren, and beloved friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at New Life Church Gahanna (3690 N Stygler Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230), with a reception to follow.