Loretta (Parker) Garrett

Loretta Garrett, 94, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 24th, 2020 at Deaconess Hospital Linda White Hospice in Evansville, Indiana, with her children Lisa and Dwayne, and her granddaughter Holly at her side.

She was born September 15, 1926 in Johnson, Indiana, the daughter of Ben and Laura Parker. She graduated from Owensville High School class of 1944. Moving away from home and finding a job in Indianapolis at 18 years old, Loretta took those first steps as an independent young woman. She married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Garrett on February 3rd, 1945 at Scott Airforce Base in Belleville.

Loretta and Eugene made Mt. Carmel their home in 1950 and raised their children, Gloria, Dwayne and Lisa in what we all know, is a very special place. In 1956, Gene and Loretta opened Garrett TV. Together they built a business that sustained their family and connected with Mt. Carmel’s residents in a special way - In their homes, in front of the television set.  Loretta was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ since 1950.

She joined the Bank of Mt Carmel in 1969 and spent many happy years serving the community as a teller. Those who knew her looked forward to the warm greeting and that always welcoming smile. The friendships she made with her co-workers were the melt your heart kind which last a lifetime. She understood that true friends are one of God’s many blessings. The difference she made in the lives of others returned to her twofold, filling her life with the warmth of lasting and treasured bonds.

Loretta was preceded death by her parents, brothers, husband Eugene and her daughter Gloria Lovellette.  Loretta is survived by her daughter, Lisa Miller and husband Randy; her son, Dwayne Garrett and wife Deb; son-in-law Steve Lovellette; grandchildren, Holly Diamond, Ryan Lovellette, Lauren Miller, Grant Miller, Danielle Dedrick (Garrett); great grandchildren, Jackson Diamond, Carson Diamond, Isabella Diamond, Harrison Lovellette, Cameron Dedrick, Josie Dedrick and Logan LaFonte (Miller).  Nan Loretta shared a boundless love with each and every one of them.

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26th at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 803 N. Market St., Mount Carmel, Illinois. Funeral services will follow at the church at 1:00 p.m. with interment at Owensville Cemetery, Owensville, Indiana.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ.  Envelopes will be available at the church and at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, P.O. Box 397, Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863.

Condolences and memorials may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Garrett family.

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