Anna Louise Loftin

Anna Louise Loftin passed away peacefully at home on August 29, 2018, following a brave fight against cancer. Anna was born on August 10, 1941 or August 11, 1940 in Belle, West Virginia. She loved telling the story of two different birth dates being recorded because she was born at home. Anna spent her childhood years between West Virginia and Ohio growing up in a family of eight children. She left home in high school to attend God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she graduated. She married the love of her life, Jack Loftin, on August 22, 1965. In Anna's final week, it was her wish to go home so she could celebrate her 53rd anniversary with her sweetheart. The love they shared was always obvious, but became even more evident in her days of sickness. Beyond her husband, Anna's priority in life was raising her three children, Matthew, Jamie, and Jill. She tirelessly raised them with simple Christian values and lived her faith every day. If you asked her, she would have chosen to have a dozen children because being a mother was where she found her purpose for life. As much as she loved her children, that love multiplied when she became a Nana to Madyson, Kaden, Andrew, Blair, Annie, and Cullen. Spoiling them rotten was her goal in life, and they would all agree she did it well! Anna's talents were as varied as her interests. She loved collecting and making dolls, attending auctions, antique shopping, decorating her home, and having lunch at tea rooms. Her home was always a welcoming place for all, and she was known for being a hostess at heart. Her meals were consistently elaborate and delicious. She was also an accomplished seamstress and always made time to hem a dress, make curtains, or create unique costumes for her grandchildren. She took pride in making Sunday dresses for Jill when she was young, finishing each dress with her trademark bell hidden beneath the ruffles. In Anna's final weeks, the visitors and cards were overwhelming. These visits and letters were representative of the life she lived. She was full of love, laughter, generosity, a listening ear, and a meal for everybody in her life. Anna was a member of the Elyria Community Church of the Nazarene. You would typically find her rocking babies in the nursery, helping with the Christmas tea, or cooking when there was a way to serve others. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Laoma Jones and five brothers, June Brooks Jones, Donald Jones, Roy Jones, Jimmy Jones, and Lonnie Ray Jones. She is survived by her loving husband, Jack Loftin; her children, Matthew (Jan) Loftin, Jamie Loftin, and Jill (Reggie) Hetsler; six grandchildren; her sister, Barbara (Fred) Monroe; her brother Vernon (Mary) Jones. A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 4, 2018 from 6-9pm at the Elyria Community Church of the Nazarene, 1107 Clemons Road, Elyria. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 11am at the church. Reverend George Gribben III, Pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial at LaPorte Cemetery, Carlisle Township. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Busch Funeral Home, Elyria. www.buschcares.com Memorial Donations can be sent to Elyria Community Church of the Nazarene at the above address. All donations in Anna's name will further the ministry of The Blessing Wagon, a mobile van that feeds the poor and homeless in the area.