Loretta Josephine Gather of Strawberry, AR, formerly of Batesville, AR, departed this world early Friday morning, March 31, 2023. She was born Loretta Josephine Bossi, in Chicago, IL, to the late Don Bossi and Josephine (Broderick) Bossi. Loretta, or “Granny Letty” as she was affectionately known by all who knew and loved her, had many passions and hobbies. She enjoyed dancing and gardening. She loved to cook and host dinners for her friends and family. She was famous for many dishes but most notably, her Italian Spaghetti. She was a hard worker, retiring after several years working coils and leads at White Rodgers in Batesville. The work she was most proud of though was her time spent as a foster grandparent for the Batesville School District. Her selfless service and dedication to children and her loving and nurturing attitude were what gifted her the name “Granny Letty” which stuck with her all of her life. Of all her passions, hobbies, and vocations, nothing meant more to her than her family, especially her children, whether they were children by birth or those whom she brought into her life as if they were her own. She will be dearly missed and forever loved.
Loretta is preceded in death by both of her parents; 3 brothers; 2 sisters; and her grandson, Brian Smith. She is survived by her son, Steve Morrison (Cheryl), of Paragould, AR; her 6 daughters, Donna Baker (Dean), of Batesville, AR, Marge Towne (Randy), of Fremont, MI, Neva Smith (Randy), of Fremont, MI, Cindy Sheppard (Kent), of Fremont, MI, Barb Terrell of Bethesda, AR, and Billie Patterson of Strawberry, AR; her sister, Mary Harmon of Bethesda, AR; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. “Granny Letty’s” services will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Willis Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville, AR. Visitation will start at 1 PM with the funeral service, officiated by Bro. Larry Sellars, beginning at 2 PM, with interment to follow immediately after at Campground Cemetery in Bethesda, AR. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be: Terry Culp, Bossi Baker, Zack Drake, Rebel Smith, Christopher Patterson, and Steven Patterson
