Lorene Sewell Fugate, age 100 years and 7 months old, a resident of Oak Ridge, TN passed away on February 20, 2025, at Viva Assisted Living.

Lorene was born July 16, 1924, in Little Crab, Tennessee.  She was the eldest of eight children.  Lorene was saved in the 7th grade, and throughout her life she showed the love of Jesus.  She loved her Bible and read it through several times.

Lorene's love of sewing began in grammar school when she learned to sew on her mother's Singer Treadle Sewing Machine.  She continued to sew throughout her lifetime making clothes, quilts and other items for her family and friends.  In 1980, Lorene began her first big mission outreach by making little bags for the children at Bancroft Bible Camp in Kingsport, TN, which resulted in over 1000 bags being made.

In 2016, Lorene moved into Greenfield Assisted Living where she began sharing her love of sewing around the world.  She made over 50 hats for The American Cancer Society, 50 pillowcase dresses for girls in Belize, numerous adult bibs and rice heating packs for family, friends and residents of the assisted living.

In 2020, when Lorene was 96 years old , she became acquainted with the Back Country Mexico Missions based in Oliver Springs, TN.  This ministry held Lorene's heart!  Again, she shared her gift of sewing by making 32 pillowcase dresses with matching bags for the Indian girls in the mountains of Mexico, 443 little quilts and hundreds of little bags for infants, children and elderly adults in Mexico.

Lorene's first job was with the Helena Post Office while she was in High School.  On a Friday in 1945, Sergeant York handed Lorene her diploma when she graduated from York Institute.  The following Monday morning she rode a bus to Oak Ridge to work at Tennessee Eastman (Y-12) to help with the famous Manhattan Project.  She was laid off from Tennessee Eastman after the war ended.  She then worked in the Men's Department at Miller's Department Store until she was called back to Y-12 where she worked for a short time.  Her favorite role in life was being a wife, mother and homemaker.  Oh, how she loved her children, grandchildren and all her many 'greats'.  She enjoyed cooking, baking and sharing her Prize-Winning "Famous" Sourdough Bread, along with many delicious desserts with countless family members and friends.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Fugate; son John Fugate; grandson Seth Fugate; parents Clay and Ada Sewell; brothers Bill and Jerry Sewell; sisters Gaynell Beaty, Ozelle Sewell, and Helen Joyce.

Lorene is survived by her children; Bonnie Herrell of Powell, Brenda Dyer of Oak Ridge, Paul Fugate of Oliver Springs, Martha McCarter of Oliver Springs, David (Donna) Fugate of Oak Ridge, Donna Sewell of Oak Ridge, and daughter-in-law Deanna Blackburn of Clinton; 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, with another great-great-granddaughter to be born in July; brothers; Claude and Perry (Nancy) Sewell of Jamestown, TN;  and special friend Evelyn Thomas of Kingsport, TN.

All are welcome to the Graveside service on February 23, 2025, at 2:00pm at Anderson Memorial Gardens, 640 Oliver Springs Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716; with Pastor Garvan Walls officiating.  Pallbearers are David Fugate, Rick Herrell, Sam Peyton, John Sewell, Taylor Fugate, and Davie Hall.  Honorary Pallbearers are Trey, Ty, and Trent Herrell, Jaxson Ellis, and Zane Hensley.

In lieu of flowers, Lorene requested donations be made to the Back Country Mexico Missions, 263 Mahoney Road, Oliver Springs, TN 37840 or the Mount Pisgah Printing Ministry at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, P.O. Box 341, Oliver Springs, TN 37840.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.sharpfh.com .

Everyone is welcome to attend the Graveside Service.