Loretta Marie Walker, 90, of Gainesville, MO died Nov. 28, 2021 at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She was born May 18, 1931, in Rockbridge, the only child of Cecil and Leatha Martin Bushong.

In 1947, she was standing outside her parents' grocery store on the Gainesville square when Walter Jefferson Walker, a recently discharged Korean soldier, stepped off the bus. It was love at first sight. They were married July 25, 1948.

Loretta and Walter owned and operated Walker Lumber Company in Gainesville for many years until Walter's death in 1983. They owned several farms and enjoyed raising cattle, water skiing and playing pitch.

Loretta enjoyed people. She was active in the senior center, loved dressing up for Hootin an Hollarin and could be found on most weekends at a card party. She was always ready for a trip, having taken an Alaskan cruise, driven from San Diego to San Francisco, and attended a grandchild's wedding in the Florida Keys.

Loretta was a lifelong member of the Gainesville Church of Christ. She boasted that she had helped the church grow into its third building during her lifetime. She actively attended church at every opportunity until her health prevented her from doing so in recent years. She also enjoyed attending Ladies Prayer Brunches at area churches.

Loretta was a lifelong resident of Ozark County and lived for 70 years in the home she and Walter built in Gainesville.

She was a loving parent and grandmother and was called "Ma" by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and feeding her family any chance she got. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, attending many sporting events, concerts and other activities over the years. Her house was decorated with newspaper clippings of all of her great-grandchildren's accomplishments.

She is survived by her two children, daughter Catherine Walker Wade and former husband Dan, both of Ava, and son Bill Walker and wife Denise of Gainesville; four grandchildren: Chris Wade and wife Lindsey of Ava, Matt Wade and wife Jabet of Pontiac, Jeff Wade of Ava and Jared Walker and wife Sara of Gainesville; eight great-grandchildren: Weston, Wyatt and Sadie Walker of Gainesville, Lola and Finn Wade of Pontiac, and Madison, Maddox and Jackson Wade of Ava; and one brother-in-law, Bobby Walker and wife Nancy of Gainesville.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A come and go visitation is being held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Dec. 1, 2021, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 at Smith-Chapel Cemetery with Wayne Stewart officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children's Home of Strafford or to Smith-Chapel Cemetery.

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.