In addition to her parents, her brother Oliver Wilson Jr. and sister Geneva Mims preceded her passing. She leaves an enormous host of family and friends to live on with her beautiful memory including her two sons Jacob Tonge (wife Han Nguyen) of Houston, TX and Rodney Tonge (Kyla Woulard) of Jacksonville, FL; and her grandchildren Isaiah Tonge, Molly Huynh, Mason Huynh, and Kyndahl Woulard; daughter-in-law Paula Z. Tonge; four brothers Leroy Wilson (wife Vanessa), Rev. Frederick Wilson (wife Carolyn), Lorenzo Wilson (wife Pam), and Jackie Wilson (wife Tammy) all of Danville, Virginia; and 7 sisters Joyce White of Washington, DC, Clara Foye (husband Vernon) of Brandywine, MD, Brenda Reed (husband David, Sr.) of Easton, PA and Deborah Gaddy (husband John), of Bethlehem, PA, Linda Cosby (husband Sam) of Plainfield, NJ, Audrey Caldwell of Charlotte, NC and Janice Agor of Temple Hill, MD. In addition, she leaves her beloved Aunt Lucille Smith of Martinsville, VA. The host of nieces and nephews and cousins is so extensive, but her love for each and every one of them was pure and unbound.
In addition to her birth family, Loretta was beloved by a myriad of others who felt as family to her and was blessed deeply by knowing her.
Loretta’s life began in Danville Virginia where she grew up as the elder sibling of a family of 14 children. She graduated from Southside High School in Blairs, Virginia at age 16 with a very sharp mind and passionate spirit. At 17 she moved to Englewood, New Jersey to pursue her education as a nurse. While working as a nurse in pediatrics, Loretta met her future husband Jacob and they settled in Teaneck, New Jersey raising their two sons Jacob and Rodney. Loretta loved her boys and along with her husband, passionately raised and educated them through college. Loretta went on to be a licensed Real Estate agent and was very successful in this endeavor in the Teaneck communities. She passionately served on the School Board there, spreading her influence with a strong voice!
In 1995, she moved to Houston Texas when her first and only grandchild, Isaiah was born.
Having a full spirit and zest for life, Loretta loved to dance, attend parties of all kinds, travel, play scrabble, and engage in conversation with anyone and everyone. She was not afraid to share her feelings, her ideas, and opinions! In fact, Loretta did not fear. From her early life in receiving Christ as a member of Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, to her years of joyous fellowship and growth in Unity churches in New Jersey and Houston, Loretta loved Jesus, loved God, loved all goodness and Life. She nurtured her faith daily in prayer and in love actions such that she touched everyone in a very holy and beautiful way. No one walked away from Loretta without experiencing the love of God. In this way she transformed the world.
In Houston, she worked at Bellaire Family Eye Care for twelve years as the front desk receptionist. She used that role to nurture and mentor her office family and to touch each and every patient who called or walked through their doors. She knew she carried the Christ Spirit in her and she wanted to share that Light with everyone. She also spread her love through her extensive volunteer work at Unity of Houston Church where she served in many capacities including the Greeters Committee, Unity Friends, Oneness Blessings, New Members Committee, and in any other way she was asked to serve. The word “no” was rarely used by Loretta.
Loretta passed from this life peacefully and joyfully without pain after complications from a planned knee surgery. She leaves us with her Light to keep shining.
Memorial Services will be held at Unity Church on Saturday July 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity in the Community and mailed to Unity Church 2929 Unity Dr., Houston, Texas 77057.
