Lorene Charles

Lorene Charles, 87, completed her earthly journey in Wilkinsburg, PA, and entered her heavenly rest.

Lorene Charles was born February 24, 1938, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. She was the first of six children to her deceased parents, Robert Lee Taylor, Sr. and Mary Frances Houston. On July 16, 2025, she went home to be with the Lord, whom she had accepted as her personal savior.

She was an honors graduate of Oliver High School and graduated from Harty Bible School. She began her career as a member of the team supporting Dr. Jonas Salk developing the Polio vaccine at the University of Pittsburgh. She held a variety of positions at Sears Roebuck and Dollar Bank. She is proud of her many contributions to the purchasing department at Allegheny Ludlum Steel, where she retired after 26 years of service.

Lorene lived a life marked by quiet strength, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith. She touched the lives of many in the Pittsburgh community through decades of service and membership in the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church, where she served and chaired the Nurses Ministry for many years and was a member of the G. L. Bowick Usher Board.

She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Known as Nanny or Nana, her love was constant and unconditional. Her union with Elmer Charles (deceased) produced three devoted children, Anthony Lee Charles, Myrna Clarke, and Kenneth Allen Charles (Karen); eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Richard Taylor (Maria) and sister, Linda Kathleen Wade. Three beloved brothers, Robert Lee Taylor Jr., James Taylor, and Eugene Taylor preceded her in death.

Her homegoing service will be held at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on July 24, 2025, following a viewing that morning at 10:00 am. A reception at Rodman will follow an internment at Allegheny Cemetery. To celebrate Lorene’s legacy, flowers or gifts to the Rodman Street Baptist Church Scholarship Fund may be made in her memory.

She will be missed, remembered, and celebrated by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

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