Loretta Richardson

Loretta Richardson was born in Delight, Arkansas on August 11, 1960, to Vernell Jones and Rosetta Richardson. She began and completed her formal education in the Delight Public School system, culminating from Delight High School, class of 1977. She pursued her formal education at Bauder College in Arlington, Texas where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree in Business Merchandising in 1979. Ambitious, determined, and equipped with her degree, Loretta moved to Los Angeles County, where she resided until her transition.

Loretta always had a passion for service and helping others. She began her career in retail and later transition into management, kickstarting a 43-year career in customer service; with her final position being with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Customer Service Guarantor Unit as a Management Service Officer I. Loretta loved working at UCLA and affectionately referred to it as her second home. She worked at UCLA for 25 years before retiring in May of 2023.

Loretta accepted Christ as the head of her life at an early age and got baptized in Delight, Arkansas at the Harrison Chapel Baptist Church. In 2007 she became a member of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood under the leadership of Bishop Kenneth Ulmer.

Loretta met and dated Andrew Douglas Sr., and in 2001 they became the parents of lan Gabriel Douglas, who was the center and light of her life. Family was very important to Loretta, and although she was the baby girl of the family, without a doubt she was the Matriarch. She was an intelligent, strong, well-spoken woman who would go out of her way to ensure that those around her were comfortable. She had a pure heart and gave her best to everyone and every situation. Her smile was infectious and would light up any room. Outside of coordinating family reunions and organizing celebrations, Loretta enjoyed playing and watching basketball, spending time with family, writing poetry and playwrights, traveling, and cooking.

After 62 years of amazing service, on May 27, 2023, the Lord whispered to Loretta, "Well done my good and faithful servant, welcome home."

Preceding her in transition are her parents Vernell Jones and Rosetta Richardson Thomas; two brothers, Eddie Dean Richardson and Charles Edward Jones; one sister, Rosemary Jones Williams; one sister-in-law, Bunnie Dixon; and one brother-in-law, Willie Harvey.

Loretta leaves to cherish her legacy and loving memory her son, lan Gabriel Douglas; brothers Bill Ray (Undra) Johnson of Columbia, South Carolina; James Aaron (Beverly) Meeks of Delight, Arkansas; Howard Gregory Dixon of Gurdon, Arkansas; Harry James Thomas of Los Angeles, California; Harvey Lee (Evelyn) Thomas of Texarkana, Arkansas; Fernell (Patricia) Jones of McNab, Arkansas; and Johnny Jones of Delight, Arkansas; four sisters, Sandra Lockridge of Dallas, Texas; Vera Harvey of Flint, Michigan; Laura (Michael) Whitaker of Joan, Arkansas; and Trina Jones of Okolona, Arkansas; and one god-daughter, Tiffany Walton.

 

Public Visitation & Family Hour will be from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. A Celebration of her life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Richard L. Dixon, eulogist, and Rev. Travell Green, pastor and officiant.  The interment will be at Harrison Chapel Cemetery in Delight, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Marlin Stewart, Justin Stewart, Deidrick Jones, Lamar Jones, Adrian Meeks, and Keiko Meeks. Honorary pallbearers will be DeShannon Dixon, Billy Johnson, Jr., Eric Johnson, Rodney Henagan, and Chandelle Jones.