Barbourville, Ky. – Loretta Walters Helton was born to Hobert and Laura Cox Walters on October 20, 1940, at their home in Balkan, Kentucky. Loretta graduated from Bell County High School and soon after left her Appalachian Mountain home in search of work in Cincinnati, Ohio. While living in Cincinnati,Loretta met the love of her life Thomas J. Helton. Loretta and Thomas united in marriage on June 30, 1962, and were married 48 years. Loretta was of the Christian faith. She was saved at a revival at Dewitt Baptist Church. She later become a regular attendee at both Turkey Creek Baptist Church and Beacon Baptist Church.
On October 4, 2024, Loretta, age 83, passed over to her Heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior and was reunited with dear loved ones: her husband Thomas J. Helton; her father and mother, Hobert and Laura Walters; her brothers Evert, Arthur “TB” (Dorothy), Millard, Paul Clinton, and Tess Walters; her beloved sister Alberta (Charles) Hodge; her sister-in-law Gloria Johnson Walters; her nephew Stephen Walters; and her mother-in-law Florence Helton, whom she took care of for 17 years.
Left here on earth until we meet again is dear friend Connie Doan Gibson; her daughters Lavon Marie Helton Hubbard (Clint) and Victoria Lynn Helton Mills (David); five grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly, Brandilyn Joye Lauretta Felts, Clint Thomas Jaykob Hubbard, Hannah Beth Mills, Emily Paige Mills, and David Isaac Mills; two great-granddaughters, who were the light of her life, ShelbiBlair Makenzy, who named her Gee, and KyllahBlaik Jaidalyn Felts. After retiring, Loretta cared for her great granddaughters until they started school. Her brother JR “Cooch” Walters of Cincinnati, Ohio; her baby sister Dorothy (Dennis) Martineau of Saugatuck, Michigan; and her sister-in-law Kathy Walters of Balkan, Kentucky as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who she loved so very much also survive Loretta.
Loretta was a loving, kind, generous, and hard-working person. She worked for several employers throughout her adult life, including, upon returning to her Kentucky home, Knox County Public Schools for 24 years as a cook for Flat Lick Elementary School. Loretta’s work at Flat Lick Elementary School was more than a job to her. Not only did she love to cook but she valued the relationships she had with her co-workers and made many good friends through her work at the school over the years, including Susan Cooper and Gerry Brown who also worked in the school cafeteria. Loretta, along with the other cooks at Flat Lick Elementary School, cared very much about the young students they served and took great pride in their work ensuring every student had a good breakfast and lunch when they were at school.
Loretta loved her family with all her heart. She enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Loretta was a talented cook. Her chocolate and peanut butter fudge was famous amongst family, and her chicken and dumplings were often requested for family gatherings. Everything she made was delicious. Loretta also enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, and canning. Ever busy, Loretta always made time for her family and faith. Attending church was a priority as was watching Kennon Roark and the Salt Gum Baptist Church and Hour of Grace with Donnie Mills and Gerald Baker on Friday nights. In later years, Loretta had fun watching football, soap operas, Wheel of Fortune, and The Price is Right.
Loretta will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.
The Helton family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Dennis Chesnut and Reverend Donnie Mills will officiate. Musical tributes to be performed by Donnie and Linda Mills, Gerald Baker, and Peyton Barnhill. Interment will follow in Green Hills Memorial Gardens, Middlesboro, Kentucky. Clint Hubbard, David Mills, Jaykob Hubbard, Isaac Mills, Steven Walker, Tony Felts and George Alan Helton will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are Loretta’s dear friends and neighbors who were always kind, concerned and supportive of her: Gladys Messer, David Hurst, Bobby Messer, Deloris Messer, and Lou Ann Smith as well as the former and present students and staff at Flat Lick Elementary School, the dedicated members of Turkey Creek Church and Beacon Church, and Knox County EMS employees.
In lieu of flowers, the Helton family request with gratitude that donations be made to Donnie and Linda Mills and Gerold Baker for their Christian Pilgrim Ministries and Christian television show Hour of Grace. Reverend Donnie Mills, and the Christian Pilgrim Ministries, was a great help to Loretta and continues to be for so many others. Donations can be mailed to 968 West City Dam Road, Keavy, Kentucky 40737.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Loretta Walters Helton.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Loretta Walters Helton.
