Loretta Joyce Lowman

1934 - 2023

Born Loretta Joyce Venable, Loretta was one of three siblings, her older brothers were Norman and Harvey Jr. (Dud). She was born to iternerant share croppers in Brownsboro, Texas. Named after Aunt Retta that delivered her into the world in a two room house in the middle of a field where her parents lived, growing cotton and watermelons. She and her brothers were tended to and raised by "mammy" while her parents worked the fields. The family migrated by Greyhound Bus in 1940 seeking a better life of opportunity in California. As she grew into a young girl she was attracted to the latest dress fashion and became a self taught seamstress sewing the latest fashions from patterns she crafted.
As life goes her parents divorced and she and her mother shared a life for a few years in New York, until the news of Dud's death brought them back to Tracy, California. She remained close to her brother Norman and they lost their 46 year old mother to tragic events in life. Loretta was a smart student graduating from Tracy High School with honors. She became an accomplished player of the piano and a lover of music.
She met and married her first husband Robert Elhard shortly after high school. Her first child Ric William was born in Jamestown ND where one winter convinced her that life was warmer in California. Second child Linn Anne was born in Lodi where life continued. Loretta was a loving mother raising children and working for optometrist Dr Johnson as a receptionist and later attending a 2 year program to become a x-ray technician at San Joaquin General Hospital. She worked for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Demsky for many years prior to retirement.
Divorce from the first marriage left her adrift until she was introduced by a friend to Wallace (Lucky) Lowman. "Lucky and Loretta" became good friends and married in 1983. Moving from Lodi to Valley Springs they purchased a home and began a new chapter in life together. Lucky tended his passion as golf pro at the local course while Loretta enjoyed a retired life of knitting, needle point, and ceramic doll making. Reading was a passion she enjoyed often reading a couple books a week. A second home overlooking the golf course allowed them a comfortable place to retire and share time with family and friends.
Medical problems plag-ued Loretta for a couple years prior to death. She transcended her life of 89 years on December 15, 2023. Through a life trials and loving trails she remained a loving mother and dedicated wife until the end. She is survived by her children and husband Lucky, his sons Rick and Bruce Lowman and their families, Lucky's son Ted Buchanan, granddaughter Jonna Mc Farland and her family and son's s/o Rose Herrera.
Services will be private.