Loretta Sue Wildman

Loretta would like to let you all know that her work here is done. After 88 years of grit, wit, and taking no bull, she received a call; the sort of offer no one can refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning.

 

Born in Tulsa Oklahoma on January 15th, 1933, Loretta spent her childhood in Branson, Missouri and her teens in San Francisco, California. She spoke often of her gratitude for her cousins, Dorothy and Jack Calabrese, who took Loretta in during these formative years and cared for her and sister, Shirley, alongside their infant son, Joel. Having developed a strong will to thrive early on, our indomitable heroine soon struck out to make her own way and start a family, breaking a few hearts along the way. In 1969, after shepherding her three beloved children into the world (Mat, Lisa, and John), Loretta Sue Walker met James Redmayne Wildman, the love of her life, with whom she would settle in Texas.

 

Loretta and Jim raised their lively flock of three in Cypress, 40 minutes north of Houston. Here, Loretta would spend decades serving North Houston as a well-respected real estate agent, claiming the sale of the very first home listed in the Woodlands. She lived to meet new people and cultivate relationships through her service as both a tenacious agent and an active member of her community. Her gift for enriching the lives of others was perhaps most strongly demonstrated by the unconditional love she poured into her grandson, whom she cherished every day of her remaining 32 years.

 

Loretta Sue made it through 8 Texas floods before finally landing in Conroe in 2019. She passed peacefully in her home on the morning of August 15th, 2021. She is reunited with Dorothy, Jack, Norma, Betty, Shirley, and beloved Jim. She’ll be happy to see Gus, Doggers, Calvin, Hobbes, Little Bit, and precious Peanut again, while Little Bitty, Honey Bun, and Angel will miss her unwavering affection. She is survived by cousin Joel, brothers Bill, Jack, and Gary, sons John and Mat, daughter Lisa, and grandson Axel. 

 

Our dear matriarch leaves behind countless loved ones, including Kitty, who recalls that Loretta was a true friend who always took in strangers if they needed a hand, and always told you the truth and how she truly felt about things. Longtime friend Judy remembers her as one of a kind, and used to tease Loretta over being the “world’s oldest living teenybopper” because she had such a young, fun attitude. Loretta relished the joyful moments of life, as anyone who remembers her tearful, life-giving laugh will attest. She was never false a day in her life. Her steadfast devotion to her family spilled over into her interactions with all other living things, and those who felt the warmth of her generous spirit will not forget her.

 

Memorial services will be held at 10 AM Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Cozart Funeral Home in Normangee, with a burial to follow at Hopewell Cemetery.