Loretta Egbert Veazey
Obituary taken from The Portsmouth Daily Times, May 2002
Loretta Bernice Veazey of Portsmouth, went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2002 at Southern Ohio Medical Center following a long illness. She was a devoted, loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Born July 27, 1923 in New Boston, Ohio, Loretta was a daughter of the late Daniel and Hazel (Colegrove) Egbert of Minford, Ohio. She was a graduate of Minford High School, in the class of 1941. She attended Rio Grande College, and Ohio University and served as a devoted teacher in the Washington-Nile Local School District for 33 years until her retirement in 1982. She also worked for the Scioto County Fair Board in charge of gates and admissions for 35 years. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and Cornerstone United Methodist Church, formerly Franklin Avenue United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Frank L. Veazey, the love of her life, whom she married August 25, 1946 in Portsmouth.
Loretta's life was also blessed with six children, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Surviving are one son, Frank William Veazey and wife, Barb of Portsmouth; and five daughters, Ruth Ann Adams and her husband, Robert Jr. (Bob) of Portsmouth, formerly of Stout, Ohio, Willa O'Neill of Marietta, Ohio, Donita (Dee Dee) Smith and husband Raleigh (Butch) Smith of Marion, Donna Veazey of Portsmouth, and Debra McGinnis and her husband, Steven of Portsmouth. Grandchildren include, Robert Adams II (Robby) and wife Tonya of Lake White, Waverly, Ohio, Shawn Adams of Portsmouth, Dr. Ryan Smith of Houston, Texas, Lesley Smith Marsh and husband Eric of Marion, Ohio, Bill Smith of Marion, Ohio, Erin O'Neil of Upper Arlington in Columbus, Ohio, Deirdre O'Neil Wedig and husband, Jamie of Westerville, Ohio, Chris McGinnis and Becky McGinnis both of Portsmouth, Ohio, Michael Veazey of Lucasville, Ohio, and Jessica Tolbert of Portsmouth; great-grandchildren include, Abigail Ann Veazey, Callie and Camden Marsh and Karlie Harper.
Loretta is also survived by sister, Norma R. Williams Hinze of Porstmouth; a brother and sister-in-law William D. (Bill) Egbert and wife Wilma of Hillsboro, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bolender of Georgetown, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parent Daniel and Hazel Egbert; two brothers, Ralph and Earl Egbert; a sister, Rosemary Egbert; and in-laws, Orin and Nancy Veazey.
Services honoring Loretta's life will be held on Tuesday, May 7th at 1 p.m. at F.C. Daehler Mortuary, with the Rev. Sam Filmore and the Rev. Richard Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Portsmouth. Friends may call at Daehler's on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and an hour before the funeral on Tuesday.
Everyone who knew Loretta knew she had a heart of gold. She was a very precious, loving and caring lady. She had love in her heart for little children who always brought a twinkle to her eye and sweet words from her lips. She is going to be sadly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, other family members and her many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family has started a Memorial Scholarship in memory of Loretta for the love and dedication she had for teaching. Friends can make contributions to the Loretta Veazey Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Portsmouth West High School, P.O. Box 2033, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662, or donations can be made to Hospice, who provided wonderful care and support.