Loretta Lorraine Draper Smashey

Loretta Lorraine Draper Smashey died Monday morning Sep. 5 at 7:25AM. She was born on January 26, 1946 in St.Louis, Missouri. Loretta is survived by her sister Linda Jean Draper, her husband of 53 years Markus Wayne Smashey, two daughters Melissa Jean Smashey Butzer (Jeffrey) and Christina Lorraine Smashey Smith (Jeremy) and three grandchildren Francis Butzer, Violet Smith and Felix Butzer. Loretta was preceded in death by her son Michael Wayne Smashey and her parents Ralph E. Draper and Ruby A. Graham Draper of St.Louis, MO.Loretta graduated from Hannibal LaGrange College and the University of Missouri where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. Before marriage she worked as a department store buyer and a substitute school teacher in the St. Louis area. After marriage she worked as a clerk in an Air Force Base Exchange, an engineering draftsperson and environmental records keeper. Loretta's true calling and greatest love was taking care of her family. She was a home maker in the truest sense and a truly good wife worth more than precious gems as described in Proverbs 31. Loretta was a woman of great faith and taught her children to love, fear and reverence God. She made home a refuge and safe place. When income was low and interest rates were high she kept her family well fed. We always had gravy with our biscuits and potatoes. Loretta loved all kinds of crafts. She was a seamstress and quilter. She threw pottery and made ceramics for a time and she also designed and made stained glass items. Loretta was a great cook and baker and loved to collect and try all kinds of recipes. She made multi-tier wedding cakes for the weddings of family friends. In recent years Loretta was active on Pinterest collecting pins and making boards of all her interests. Loretta was active in a local Southern Baptist church everywhere she lived. She taught children's Sunday School classes, was a children's department director, taught Vacation Bible School and was VBS director several years. There will be a visitation held for friends and family at Cheatham Hill Memorial/Southern Cremation & Funerals, 1861 Dallas Highway Marietta, Georgia 30064, on Thursday September 8, 2022, from 8:15 am -9:00 am. The funeral will be immediately afterward at 9:00am in the chapel. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Samaritan's Purse in Loretta's name. Loretta