Lorene Nolen Fitch, 100, of Metropolis, IL, departed this life at 10:30pm on August 19, 2015, at Misty Meadows of Metropolis.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at Miller Funeral Home in Metropolis with Rev. Louis Brinker officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens in Metropolis.Lorene was born on October 12, 1914, on a farm in Saline County, northwest of Carrier Mills, Illinois. She was the daughter of Earl and Merle Nolen. She started to school at the age of five, walked two miles for eight years on a dirt road to grade school and the same distance to high school for four years. Lorene accepted Christ at the age of 18 in a revival meeting at the First Baptist Church in Carrier Mills.After graduating from Carrier Mills High School in 1932, she lived with her uncle Harry Rann and attended Raley's Beauty school in Harrisburg, Illinois. While attending Raley's, Lorene became acquainted with Bertie Marberry, who was also taking a beauty course, from Metropolis. When Mrs. Marberry returned to Metropolis, she learned that one of her beauty operators had quit so she called Lorene to come and work for her. Lorene graduated from Raley's Beauty School in 1935 and came to Metropolis.It was through Lorene's acquaintance with Mrs. Marberry that she met Charles Fitch. It was love at first sight. After two years of courtship, Lorene and Charlie were married on June 30, 1937. Together they operated Fitch's 5 & 10 Store for 42 years at two different locations, the last one being at 706 Market Street for 32 years. Lorene and Charlie celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at their home on 810 Metropolis Street, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the family life center of First Baptist Church where Lorene has been a member since her first Sunday in Metropolis in 1935.She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Metropolis where she was known for singing in the choir and bringing her famous chicken and dumplings to all church dinners.Lorene sang her first solo, "Where He Leads I'll Go," at the age of five at South America Baptist Church near Carrier Mills. During her life she has always sung in her church choir, at many funeral services, at Eastern Star Chapter ceremonies, at Rebekah Lodge conventions and at White Shrine installations. She also sang duets with Hazel Hohman, Mozell Cagle, Ethel Marie Hopson and Betty Storm.She has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Eastern Star and the Rebekah Lodge since 1939 and the Metropolis White Shrine since 1947. Charlie and Lorene attended several Grand Lodge sessions of Eastern Star in Chicago. Lorene served as soloist for Rebekah Grand Lodge sessions in Springfield, Illinois, and Supreme White Shrine sessions in Long Beach, California.Lorene and her husband Charlie were elected to the offices of Worthy High Priestess and Watchman of the Shepherds in 1949 and traveled to New York City and Long Beach, California representing the Metropolis Order of the White Shrine.Lorene celebrated her 94th birthday in 2008 with a party at the family life center of First Baptist Church. Over 300 friends and relatives attended. In 2013 she received a citation from Mayor Billy McDaniels on the occasion of her 99th birthday. In October 2014, Lorene celebrated her 100th birthday at Misty Meadows of Metropolis, surrounded by her family and many friends.Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Merle Nolen and her loving husband, Charles Fitch. She is survived by the following: niece Julie Kleet of Paducah, KY; nephews Robert Wittman of Houston, TX, and Robert (Bill) Fitch of Metropolis, IL; great niece Linda Forgas, of Chester, IL; cousins Marlene Johnson and Bill Nolen of Carrier Mills, IL; and Bonnie Fitch of Metropolis, IL.The family would like to thank the staff of Misty Meadows of Metropolis and caregivers Audry Burton, Sheila Sharp, Jamie Fowler, Tina MoreheadDebbi Heal and Mary Roberts.Expressions of sympathy can be made to the First Baptist Church, 307 Massac Creek Road, Metropolis, Illinois 62960. Pallbearers will be Allan Kleet, Jim Modglin, Marvin Barnhill, Felton Hulsey, Robert Wittman, and Robert "Bill" Fitch. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Victory Sunday School Class.Online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com