Oretta Gayle Gaddy

Oretta Gayle Gaddy, who was affectionately known to all as Retta, passed away in Georgetown, Texas, on June 16, 2025 at the age of 80.

Born in Elgin, Texas, on December 30, 1944, Retta was the third of four daughters born to Gus and Evelyn Rust Schmidt. She was baptised as an infant at Richland Evangelical Church in Richland, Texas, and was confirmed into her Christian faith in June 1958 at the Evangelical Church of Christ in Austin. Retta accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 25.

She met the love of her life while in high school. She married her beloved Ron Gaddy on February 16, 1963, and they became the proud parents of three children: Kim, Mark and Dana. Ron and Retta were married for 62 years and enjoyed spending time with each other, their children, six precious grandchildren and five sweet great-grandchildren as well as extended family and friends. Retta adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she prayed faithfully for them each day.

Retta was blessed to be called a homemaker by trade! She enjoyed cooking and sewing and also hosting friends and family gatherings. She could have been an interior designer because she had an uncanny talent for decorating. Both friends and family called on her often for design advice and tips. In addition, Ron and Retta owned and operated Buell Mill Mfg from 1970-1984, and Austin Auto Color, serving Austin, Corpus Christi and McAllen, Texas, from 1984-2005.

In their retirement, Ron and Retta were able to create special family memories fishing in Rockport, Texas, where they owned a home for many years. Retta loved salt-water fishing with Ron and family – and yes, she was proud to boast that she caught the “Big One”! Ron and Retta also participated in various activities in Sun City, including one of Retta’s favorite passions, dancing. She loved to dance, dance, dance! Ron and Retta enjoyed good music, laughter and being out with their friends. She enjoyed life to the fullest and was always happy to make new friends.

Retta was a member of The Worship Place in Sun City, Texas. She loved and served her Lord throughout her life in a variety of capacities. Retta served at The Worship Place on its Board of Trustees, in Stephen Ministries as a Stephen Leader, and a Women’s Ministry Leader. Other areas of Christian service included Stonecroft Ministries, Lutheran Braille worker, Lutheran Women’s Ministry League, The Caring Place and The Austin Crisis Pregnancy Center. Serving the Lord brought great joy to Retta’s life and enabled her to have a profound impact on the lives of so many others. Her legacy will carry on forever, reminding us that we all can choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

Retta is preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Evelyn Schmidt, and her two older sisters, Joyce Koch and Marilyn Adlof. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ron Gaddy; her children, Kim Wiggins, Mark (Teri) Gaddy and Dana (GW) Hildebrand; her grandchildren, Megan Wiggins Mattox (Trey) and Jake (Hayley) Wiggins, Ryan (Lily) Gaddy, Andrew (fiance Madison Dupuis) Gaddy, and Rachel and Lillian Hildebrand; her great-grandchildren, Beau, Delilah and Lillian Mattox and Elijah and Eloise Hanson; her sister Delise (Randall) Becker; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces/nephews.

The Celebration of Life Service to honor the life of Oretta Gayle Gaddy will be Friday, August 8, at 1:00PM at The Worship Place, located at 811 Sun City Blvd, Georgetown, TX 78633.