Loretta Jean Carter

Loretta Jean Carter was born on July 12th, 1959 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Henry and Nannie (Dye) Carter. She joined her big sister, Patricia to complete the family. She graduated from Tahlequah High School and then received her Bachelors Degree at Northeastern State University, specializing in Paralegal work. If you had ever met Loretta, you met a loyal employee, a true blue friend, and someone that made your day a whole lot brighter just by being in the room. She gave 100% of herself to those around her every day, without fail. She held many positions in her working career. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Cherokee Nation Housing Authority, the Jordan Law Office, the Arkansas River Bed Authority, and was employed as a Fiduciary Trust Officer for the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, formerly known as the Department of Interior. Loretta also owned and operated Storage Solutions of Keys, OK. She loved to spend her spare time sharing her beautiful smile with her circle of friends, and they were many. She liked sports and loved pitching fast pitch softball, golfing for various teams, such as the Fraternal Order of Police, earning her black belt in karate, and watching the best teams on television, the OU Sooners, the Cleveland Browns and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Traveling to see the sights and experience life in a new way was also a good time for Loretta. She found adventure in Destin, FL, Nashville, TN, Vale, CO, and loved time spent in Branson, MO. The Cherokee People and Heritage held a very special place in Loretta’s life. She was so very proud of all they stood for. Her family was her world and her reason for being. She honored her mother and father, and helped children every chance she could, especially Jessica, her sister Pat’s granddaughter, who she loved like her own. You never found Loretta that she wasn’t in the company of a very special sister, Carolyn. They were inseparable, working projects, sharing time, talent, and supporting each other in everything that came their way in life. Loretta was the faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and served Him all of her days. She was a musician, sang gospel music and played the bass with such gospel groups as “Exodus”, “Gateway”, “The Singing Samaritans” and many others. She called New Hope Assembly Of God Church in Muskogee her home church, and was also happy previously serving at 29 Eleven Church in Tahlequah. She was a member of the Worship Team, and led people to worship the Lord in song and by example. She may not have had children of her own, but she was the favorite Aunt to so many children who knew her kind heart and gentle smile. She was very important(a VIP), and always showed everyone her love, admiration, and respect. A true treasure. Her beautiful light was extinguished on January 6th, 2021 in Tahlequah, OK, at the age of 61 years. We are all better people for having known Loretta Carter in our lives. Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chuck Hoskin, Jr. validated this in his quote, “We are so blessed because of her.”

She has gone home to her grandparents, Harrison and Mary (Downing) Dye, Jim and Maude (Hayes) Carter, and her beloved mother and father.

Those left to remember her include her sister, Patricia Henson of Park Hill, OK, her adopted sister and best friend, Carolyn Allen of the home, her Aunt Aleen Fisher and husband Barto of Jenks, OK, as well as many cousins, special friends and a host of friend and loved ones.

A very special thank you is extended to her cousin Shelly for being with Loretta, holding her hand along side other nurses as Loretta entered Heaven. Thank you to the Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital Staff for the excellent care given to Loretta.

Funeral services for Loretta Jean Carter will be held on Monday, January 11th, 2021 at Reed-Culver Chapel at 10:00 AM with Pastor Anthony Roe and Reverend Terry Stone officiating. She will have visitation immediately before services begin at Reed-Culver Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Park Hill Cemetery next to her parents. Pallbearers for Loretta include Clif Hall, Cooper Hall, Connor Hall, Drew Jordan, Bobby Jackson, and Jason Kelly. Her honorary pallbearers include Rex Jordan, Gary Cooper, Gary Cooper Jr., Rick Carpitcher, Robert Craff, Zach Swon, Colton Swon, and Kelly Swon. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com. To view the memorial video, please visit www.youtube.com and search "In Loving Memory of Loretta Carter".