Lori Ann Pettaway Goston

Chapter I  - A Star is Born The year was 1966, and a famous commercial was on tv promoting a cute rosy cheeked, baby model for Gerber Baby Foods. Her name was "Little Lori Ann". At only several months, this Gerber baby became a star. So, to no surprise, when Iva Delores (Lois) Johnson Pettaway gave birth to her third child, a lively bouncy baby girl with with those same bubbly cheeks and personality, she named her after the famous Gerber baby, Yes, Little "Lori Ann" Pettaway.  Lori Ann would carry that same spark of life and star quality through out her life. No one questioned the name of Ms. Lois' choice. Not her dad, James Pettaway, her brother Donald or Ronald  and for sure Annie . They were overjoyed to have the bubbly star kissed baby girl in their hearts and lives. Ms. Lois told her big sister Annie that Lori was her birthday present, since she was born on May 11, 1966, only a few days form Annie's birthday. Donald and Ronald would become her bodyguards for neighborhood visitors who were at awe of her star lacey qualities and giggly personality. She was always smiling and had charisma that followed her throughout life. Later in life, she had to  share her crown with the birth of her next baby sister, Montrese, whom she groomed to be her next royal predecessor.

Chapter 2- Reasons -The Reasons That We're Here It was no surprise that people immediately fell in love with Lori Ann in the same way the world adored the Gerber baby. While attending Dogan Elementary, she was quiet, yet quite popular. She would later introduce herself to a young man who was new to Dogan, named Terry Goston.  Fate? Well, we will take that story to another chapter later!  Perusing her academic goals with passion, Lori would attend Oak Village Middle School and then Forest Brook Senior High School. After being involved in numerous school activities, Lori would take her creative side to new heights by releasing her creative hands to cosmetology. Upon graduation, she tried regular jobs, but her calling was to the beauty industry. After attending Vogue Beauty School, Lori would excel in such a creative star quality of designing hair styles, that she developed a huge clientele. This brought much more business to the school. Having such a large clientele, she immediately joined forces with her sister Anne and opened Hair Exclusives. She moved later to Humble with her new, Hair2Exclusives. Her master techniques of designing signature hair styles became popular and her clientele boosted in numbers. Her reason in life was evident as she mastered the health and beauty of the hair industry. As well, she showcased her own self as a model of beauty and fashion pizazz.  Her hair was always " tight', not a hair out of place, precision cuts and bright colors to match her brightly colorful, personality. Eclectic, and classy was her symbolism in her craft and that's how she carried herself, personally and professionally.. That's what makes her a Star of the professional beauty and hair care industry.

Chapter 3 - Sweet Love - God is Good! All the Time! Life would take on higher and brighter heights as Lori would be blessed with greater successes with God's hand in her hand. Having dedicated her life to Jesus Christ, earlier in age, Lori's relationship with God would grow along side her career. God was sending her blessing after blessing for her trust in Him. One blessing was her marriage to Terry Goston on September 3, 1989. Remember, the little girl who introduced herself to the little new boy at school? Ironically, God's will would have them meet again in high school, where Lori's goal of  "to have and to hold" was just as fervent as the other goals. She got what she wanted. As usual. While he was away at college, she wrote him everyday. They later married and introduced into the world another Gerber baby descendant, LaWalden DonJames. Lori's knack for creating beauty came in the form of that same giggling, lively baby that came with little LaWalden. With these two blessings at her side, she would escalate to higher heights and would be blessed to travel the country with Avlon, a leader in the hair care industry. From Atlanta, to Los Angeles, Dallas to Chicago, there wasn't a major city she didn't hit while leaving her iconic trademark.Her signature master cuts and hair colors were the talk of the country.  She was very sought after for her talent internationally as well. She traveled to London, England representing Avlon to showcase her signature designer skills and hair styling platform performances.  God blessed her to win numerous awards and recognitions while she master performed on stages of the most popular Hair Industry shows, like Bronner Brothers and city featured Hair Battles with her side-kick, Alfred Moody. She was family committed. Her son grew up and married wife Kellie. They blessed her with her pride and joy, "Gi-Gi's Grandbabies". Brother, Ronald, became like the "dad-over-seer" to Lori. When not on stage or in the salon, Lori traveled with her recording artist sister, Anne to radio stations, music conventions, and hung out with the stars while learning the show business trade that she incorporated into her hair craft. Her hair show competitions would include nieces, nephews, friends and relatives as she made everyone feel a part of her celebrations. With her family and friends, she felt blessed and often quoted, "God is good, ALL the Time!!" . Chapter 4 - I'm a Survivor - I Won't Complain Stardom on the hair industry platform did not change the genuine dedicated heart of Lori Ann.  She shared her life giving to friends, family and associates. She never left a city without making a friend. Her personality, as well as her gift of creativity, left lasting impressions in the hearts and minds of all she met.  She had gifted hands and a gifted heart. Serving God was high on her list and she served through Him by offering her services to disadvantaged children in the community during back to school season. She was also a dedicated volunteer at her church, Smyrna Baptist Church. She was active in the hair shows that donated goods and services to the community. Known for her classic and lively birthday and holiday parties, Lori would bring friends, family and community together like no other and have everyone feeling lifted.. Even after losing her brother, sister, mother, father, mother-in-law, brother-in-law closey, she kept on in God's strength. Her heroism even shined more when her toes were amputated. She did not stop. She continued in all her strength, trusting God. When she received her award at an annual hair show (again), she remarked how she was "blessed to do what she loved." She said in her acceptance speech that "she wasn't just a survivor, but she was a wife, a mother, a sister, a sister in law, an aunt, a grand mother, a mother-in-law, a friend, but most of all, a child of God!!"

Chapter 5- Take Me To The King On November 28th, 2021, after a survivors battle, the battle came to an end. Lori went home to glory to be with her family and sit at at the feet of Jesus, where there is no sunrise or sunset. The trials of pain, that she so elegantly covered with her tender smiles, were evolved into the beauty of the Master's hand.  She trusted the Master's plan. 2  Timothy 4:7-8..."I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing".  Lori was known for great celebrations. May we remember her in peace and find Christ, as she would wish for each and every one of us, the Gift of Salvation. Lori is proceeded in death by her mother, Iva Delores Pettaway-Leadon, father James Pettway, brother Donald Pettaway, sister, Montrese Pettaway, mother-in-law, Helen Goston, brother-in- law, Jerry Goston. She leaves in survival to cherish her memories, husband, Terry Goston, her son, LaWalden DonJames Pettaway (Kellie), her precious " Gi-Gi's" grandbabies, Braylon, Justin, Lauren, and Sean, sister, brother-in-law, James Goston Jr., sister, Annie Pettaway Leassear, brother, Ronald Wayne Pettaway(Loretta), bonus sisters, Matry Hall and Gwen Banks,  nieces and nephews, Savandra Leassear, Denithan Leassear, Eboni Leassear, Roneisha Pettaway, Paula Elmore, Dior Banks, Dylan Stephenson, James Goston III, The Charles family and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.

The Story continues...when we see her again in heaven.