Obituary of Loretta Josephine Leffew

Loretta J. Leffew (née Payne) left this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, August 6th, at age 88. She died peacefully at her home with loved ones around her. She was born in Dunlap, Tennessee, to Mary E. (Smith) Payne and Milton Payne. When she was less than a year old, her parents moved her, via wagon, to Soddy, Tennessee. At age 15, Loretta met Arnold Leffew, a 19-year-old private in the U.S. Army; she thought he looked so handsome in his uniform. Their budding relationship was put on pause when Arnold had to leave for the Korean War; he spent a year and a half overseas, much of it in active combat. Loretta held onto the hope that he would come home. He did. They became engaged in 1953 and in November of that year, at the age of 17, Loretta married Arnold. They were married for 30 years, until his death in 1983. Together they raised five children and welcomed a number of grandchildren. She was a member of the North Hamilton Church of Christ where she attended services regularly for many years. Her faith was her inspiration. For a little over two decades, Loretta worked as a receptionist for the Alhambra Shrine. She enjoyed reading, movies and decorating her home; she loved Christmas and cooking, especially for a houseful of loved ones. A long and well-lived life is full of both hardship and happiness. Loretta experienced lean times and painful losses, which she faced with grace and dignity, finding strength in her Faith. She also experienced all the good life had to offer from travel to simple pleasures and the joy she found in her friends and her family. Her warmth, her humor, her strength and her steadfastness will be missed. She will live on in all those who knew her and loved her. Loretta was preceded in death by her husband Arnold and her sons Jackie Ray, Richard Allen and Steven Eugene Leffew. She is survived by her daughters Carol (Rick) Prather and Cheryl Torbett; her son Gary (Kathy) Leffew; seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. The family would like to give a special thank you to Ashley and Cel of Hospice of Chattanooga. Funeral Services will be held at Legacy Funeral Home on Friday, August 9 at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Buttram Cemetery, 192 Pine Crest Dr., Dayton, Tn., 37321. Grandson Jonathan Torbett and great-grandsons Nik Shipley, Josh Shipley, Jake Shipley, Nolen Torbett, and Bailey Torbett will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include great granddaughters Maddie Crow and Alayna Courtney. The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, August 8 at Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Arrangements by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 (423) 843-2525. To share memories, photos or condolences please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.com.