WILMINGTON — Loretta Pettus, age 84, went home to heaven on December 20, 2022. She was born April 7, 1938 in Charlotte, NC. She was the oldest daughter to Ralph and Nettie Smith. Loretta eloped with the love of her life, Eugene Francis Pettus in 1958. In a 1970 Jeep, Loretta and their three children settled on Pine Street in Wilmington, NC, where they resided until 2021.
Loretta was a talented, motivated woman. In the late 1970’s she started an embroidery shop where most everything she did was freehanded. “The Monogram Shop”, was the place for all things personalized. She did a lot of work for the movie studios and personalized the cheerleading and athletic uniforms for NHCS. Loretta was blessed to have visited the Holy Land of Israel with her parents as an adult. She and Jeep also enjoyed traveling during their marriage. She extended her love of travel to her daughter and together they went on numerous adventures such as cruises, concerts and trips to NYC.
When not traveling, she enjoyed working in her yard and volunteering at Winter Park Baptist Church. Her greatest joy was being around her friends and family, especially the wonderful people at Chris’ Restaurant. During the last 15 years of her life, she enjoyed working with her family at their hotel. She kept everything in order with a smile that will be truly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband and oldest son, Eugene Francis (Frankie) Pettus Jr. She is survived by her son, Brian Pettus (Toi) and daughter, Lori Bowles (David); her sisters, Laurie Frohman and Linda Lynch; her sister-in-law, Faye Lewis and by 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren who called her “Grandmama” as well as numerous nieces and nephews and Lorine Aderhold, her friend of 60 plus years.
To honor Loretta, please join the family on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Winter Park Baptist Church. Fellowship with the family will begin at 1 p.m. with the service to follow at 2 p.m. Graveside immediately to follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center.
“Remember me with love and laughter. If you can only remember with tears, then don’t remember me at all.”
