McGuire, Lorraine Vaught Howard
Lorraine Frances Vaught Howard McGuire flew into the outstretched arms of Jesus on February 21, 2025 at the age of 88. For the last 5 years, she resided in Pulaski VA and lived with her daughter, Mary and son-in-law, Roland Wright.
She was born November 27, 1936 in the middle of the Great Depression and was the third of nine children for Joseph Percy Vaught and Minnie Lucille Simpkins Vaught. Her family lived on 700 acres that went from Norris Run Rd from rolling fields to the mountaintop where they eked out a living as a farm family with a coal miner father. She only attended school for 8 years because as their family grew so did her responsibilities at home.
Lorraine was a great encourager to all who knew her. If she was your friend, she was your friend for life. She worked in and ran many restaurants in her lifetime including Blacksburg’s Tech Drive-in where as a teen she recalled falling asleep standing up leaning against a light pole because of her long hours. She worked at the downtown Palace Restaurant as first a waitress then cook, Country Kitchen as a cook and many more establishments, but is probably best remembered for running the Mountainview Drive-in in Riner where she and Kyle would show up around 5 AM to serve up delicious diner style food beginning with early morning breakfast for the area dairy farmers, lunch and supper. She had booths and bar seating as well as curb service. She loved watching people enjoy food her hands had prepared. Later in life when going to Hale’s Restaurant in Shawsville, she’d remarked “If I could still do restaurant work, I’d love to work here.” She also loved eating at Dudes drive-in in Christiansburg. Her family benefited from her great cooking skills over the years from biscuits hot from the oven, sausage gravy, chicken and dumplings and so much more.
She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 43 years, Kyle McGuire who she said “treated her like a Queen and called her the best cook in Christiansburg,” her son Tony Vaught Long, step-son Kyle Benton McGuire, step-daughter, Mildred McGuire Whitescarver, her brothers Kaywood Vaught, Joseph Vaught, James Vaught and sisters Helen Vaught Catron, Ruth Vaught Cooper.
She is survived by her brother Arwood and sisters Betty Vaught Mickles and Ruby Vaught Howard, her children Mary Howard Wright, Junior Howard, Charlie Ray Howard, Bettie Howard Frazier, Linda Howard Dalton, Lori Howard Noonkester Shaver and Cerry Lee Howard, step-children, Ramona McGuire Richards, Darrell McGuire and Joyce McGuire Bain, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly who will never forget the love she enriched their lives with.
Mom attended the First Church of God Dublin and always felt loved and blessed by the sweet, praying congregation there.
McCoy Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements with the service and visitation held at the First Church of God in Dublin, 6330 Courtney Ln, Dublin. Visitation is Saturday, March 1 at 10 AM, service at 11 AM with Pastor Mike Hudson officiating. Interment at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg immediately after the service, then afterwards, the family and friends are invited to enjoy a meal prepared at the church in honor of Lorraine.