Margaret Loretta Harshfield

Margaret Loretta Harshfield (Loretta) left for her heavenly home on July 22, 2026. She was 98 years old. Loretta was born in Kosmosdale, Kentucky on May 15, 1928 to loving parents Martin and Margaret Baker Gentry. She married Kenneth (Jake) Harshfield in 1947 soon after his return from naval service during WWII. They were married for 67 years until his death in 2014. In addition to her parents and beloved husband, she was predeceased by their toddler daughter Pamela, and their adult son Brent.

Loretta began a lifetime of service in the food industry as a child, spending her summers boxing the strawberries grown at her grandparents’ truck farm. As a young woman and new bride, she worked alongside her parents and husband in their West Point, Kentucky grocery store. Later she worked at the Kroger Louisville Division Headquarters in accounting until she retired in the 1990s.

In their younger years Loretta and Jake enjoyed evenings and weekends square dancing. As they aged, they traveled the bus tours of America, with one quite memorable trip to Scandinavia. After hanging up their tap shoes and wandering ways, Jake took up golf while Loretta gave into her creative side. She first chose the paper art of quilling, delighting the kids in the family with her cartoon creations. She then discovered her true passion in the textile art of handsewn quilting, creating dozens of treasured quilts for family and friends.

Loretta served in various capacities at South Jefferson Baptist Church, the church she had attended from childhood. Most notably, as a member of the church Finance Committee; as president of the Triple-L Club, which her mother co-founded; and the Piece-Makers quilting club, known for their welcome-to-the-congregation quilts presented to each newborn church member.

Loretta is survived by family members Stacy Helvey, Margaret Ray Harshfield (John Simurdak), Nina and Amy Moberley, Carolyn (Donald) Snellen, Sara Martin (David Baker), and Regenia (Jim) Woods. She leaves behind many other family members and dear friends who will fondly remember her ready laugh and the stories from her past. The entire family wish to thank her great grandniece Stacy Helvey for her untiring devotion to Loretta. Stacy’s many tender ministrations as her loving caretaker and companion, especially during the last two years of her life, allowed Loretta to stay in her home of 70 plus years and made her happy and comfortable.

Service and visitation for Loretta will be held at Advantage Hardy Chapel on Sunday, July 26, 2026, 2-6 p.m., 10907 Dixie Highway, 40272.

Remembrances of a life well-lived may be made through donations to South Jefferson Baptist Church, 6505 Pendleton Road, 40272.