Loretta Dianne Blackwater

Brought up in the church, Loretta’s life was marked by steadfast faith and devoted service. She was a member of the Sacaton Presbyterian Church, where she had been a member for 16 years. She pastored for 8 years and was the youngest elder to be chosen at her church—an enduring reflection of the trust others placed in her and the seriousness with which she carried her calling.

Loretta met her husband, Richard, when she was 12 years old, and the two were married in 1979. Together they raised four children, bringing them up in the church as she had been. Known for her clear-eyed wisdom—“you couldn’t get anything by her”—Loretta offered steady guidance rooted in conviction and care. She was the last of her siblings.

Beyond her many commitments, Loretta found joy in the everyday, including being a hardcore Diamond Backs fan. She embraced life fully, and her days were often spent counseling others; she was someone people could confide in, offering a listening ear and a steady presence when it mattered most.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Richard Sr., her children Roland, Kelly, and Richard Jr., 8 grandkids, and 3 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her daughter Michelle, her parents, and her siblings, Phillip Jackson, Erna Mills, Cheryl Jackson, Paul Johnson, and Carla Johnson.

A wake will be held Friday, November 13th at 6:00pm at the Hashan Kehk Service Center in Hashan Kehk. Church services will be held the following morning at 7:00am at the Sacaton Presbyterian Church and burial to follow in West Sacaton Cemetery in Sacaton. J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Chapel are in charge of arrangements.