Loretta Lee Eskridge

Loretta Lee Coleman was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas to parents Charles and Dorothy Coleman. As a child, she enjoyed school, music, and friends. From an early age, Loretta's faith became central to her life, and Central Baptist Church in her hometown was a second home for her.

During her college years, Loretta met the man who would become her husband and the love of her life, Robert (Joe) Eskridge, at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, and they married when he graduated from Arkansas State College (now ASU). As soon as they were married, Joe and Loretta began a 27-year adventure of service to our nation through the United States Army, in which Joe served as an officer in the Infantry and Adjutant General Corps and Loretta served as an active member of the military community and her husband's greatest supporter. Loretta enjoyed the life of an Army wife and joined the Army team herself as a civilian Personnel Manager after her sons were older. She served our nation in this role for 30 years before retiring.

Joe and Loretta treasured their family together. Their son, Robert Joseph II ("Skip") was born 1961 and Paul Coleman in 1963. As the boys grew, Loretta volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and hosted youth group gatherings in the family home. She sang in the church choir and years later served as the first face to greet families in the children's ministry area, where she welcomed everyone with her lovely smile.

As the years passed, Joe and Loretta welcomed daughters-in-law Kim (Paul) and Lynn (Skip), and their joy multiplied with the arrival of each of their five grandchildren: Caryne, Cole, Kyle, Kailyn, and Kari. Once the grandchildren began to arrive, Loretta became known to her family as Grammy. Being a grandmother may have been her favorite role in life.

Loretta had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed welcoming people of all ages into her home, and her love of her church continued throughout her life. With each passing year, her faith grew stronger and deeper. We, her loved ones grieve her passing, but we do not grieve as those without hope, for we believe in our Redeemer and know that we will come together again someday in His glorious presence to praise Him forever.

Loretta is survived by her beloved husband of almost sixty-seven years, Robert Joseph Eskridge, their younger son, Paul Coleman Eskridge (Kim), grandchildren Caryne Eskridge, Cole Eskridge, Kyle Eskridge, Kailyn Eskridge, and Kari Eskridge, and daughter-in-law, Lynn Eskridge. Loretta is also survived by her younger brother Eddie Coleman (Emily) and their son, Scott (Samantha) and their children, her niece Vicki Morris Braswell (Chris) and their family, and her nephew, Terri Morris, and his family, as well as cousins and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Dorothy Coleman, her older son, Robert Joseph Eskridge II ("Skip"), her older sister, Barbara Morris, and her niece Claire Coleman.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving in Loretta's memory to: Eskridge-Coleman Children and Youth Ministry Fund of the First Baptist of Alexandria Foundation

https://fbcalexandria.org/fbcafoundation