Loleta Kaye Moore-Davis

Loleta was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on June 28, 1944, and died peacefully on October 20, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael Ray Davis, her parents Ernest Moore, Sr. and Bernice Rose, brothers Ernest and Wayne, and very close childhood friend Nancy. She is survived by her cherished niece Susan, other nieces and nephews scattered about the country, and numerous friends who were touched by her wherever she lived.

To those who loved her, she was often known as Lo or Red. Her husband Michael lovingly referred to her as “The Redhead.” She was proud of her red hair, and you always knew when Loleta entered the room. Her eyes sparkled, her laugh was infectious and she brought an energy all her own. She was one of a kind – fiercely loyal, a force of nature and someone who lived her life on her own terms. She spoke her mind, stood by the people she loved and usually got her way. She was dynamite in a small package.

For 33 years, Loleta worked for her dear boss and friend, John Klumph, until the week before she passed away. She could manage complex projects, bring order to chaos, and whip a team into shape. She ran a tight ship and when she was around, everyone knew who was in charge. “Yes, ma’am!” was the appropriate response.

But there was much more to Loleta than her professional life.

At different times in her life, she was a country music radio DJ, did voice advertising, and timing and scoring with the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) as she loved auto racing. She bravely went hang gliding for her 75th birthday! She rode horses as a kid and had the animal whispering gift – especially with her beloved cats. She had as many as five cats at one time, all of them feral. She knew each of the cat’s personalities and treated each as special. In her later years, she embraced her passion for classical music and volunteered with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO), including its Symphony Storytime program for young children. She was an active member of the Friends of the OPO. This was not her first volunteer gig. Previously she had volunteered with Junior Achievement of Central Florida and for many years in Texas with adult literacy program LIFT.

Whether Loleta was in jeans and a T-shirt or a fancy dress, Loleta liked to look good. She made her own style statement with her bold hair, funky glasses and perfectly manicured nails. She loved the open road, driving fast with the wind in her hair, Texas barbecue, and a really good lobster roll. Tell her she couldn’t do something, and she’d prove you wrong.

Beneath her independent spirit was a big heart. She was fiercely devoted to her mom, loved her husband Michael with all her heart, and was a friend others could always count on. From Chicago, the Midwest, Texas to Florida, she made lasting friendships wherever she went.

She will be remembered for her kindness, love of animals, fierce loyalty, and joyful spirit. She lived boldly, loved deeply, and made life a little more fun for everyone around her. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love and laughter.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Loleta’s life will be held at a date yet to be determined.