Vernon Lorene Dozier West was born November 30,1921 to Frank and Sollie Belle Dozier in Nashville, TN. She attended Haynes School graduating as Salutatorian in 1941.
She and her husband, John Perkins West, Sr. were joined in holy matrimony on April 15, 1948, and to this union three children were born. In addition to their biological children, the Wests opened their home and served as foster parents to three children.
As a young woman, she had the desire to become a nurse, and this passion was realized through caring for members of the community beginning at a very young age. Due to her chronic illness, she was unable to fulfill her professional nursing passion.
Lorene professed a hope in Christ at an early age and began her trajectory in teaching and caring for those who had a passion for the cause of Christ. She and her husband, John, were known by American Baptist Seminarians as they were able to fill both their physical and spiritual bodies. They were always able to partake of a great meal, great advice, and receive great guidance at 1706 Roger Ave.
Not only was Lorene a spiritual confidant, but she was also always willing to share her gifts of pottery, ceramics, sewing, knitting, cooking, baking, and crocheting with whom she came in contact. Lorene was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.
Lorene’s commitment to serving others continued after the death of her husband, as she began her career at the Nashville Tennessean where she served for 25 years. At that time, she took time to returned home to care for her premature grandchild. She returned to her home church, Fifteenth Avenue to serve at the Community Development Center.
She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Mary Lorene (Travis) McMiller, Rita Diane Meriwether, and son John Perkins (Susan) West, Jr. all from Nashville, TN; a devoted sister, Audrey Dozier Hall; five loving grandchildren: Nicole Daniele (Virgil) Straford, Melanie Denise Scruggs, Monica Lyn Scruggs, Shandra Michele (Melvin) Currie, Johnathan Breon (Lia) West; two step- grandsons, Jeremy (Melissa) Meriwether, Christopher (Brittany ) Meriwether; seven loving great- grandchildren, LaKeshia, Jaiden, CeAirra, Mekayah, Mekaylah, Kaleb, and Easton; four step-great grandchildren, Isla, Eli, Emmie, Theo and one great-great grandchild, Kai; and a host of nieces, nephews, and devoted friends