Loretta Smith

Loretta Kaye Hanks Smith, aged 70, passed away November 23, 2024, in Water Valley, Mississippi. Her kind heart and giving spirit will be missed by her family and friends. Loretta was born on November 30, 1953 in Batesville, Mississippi. She attended South Panola High School. She met and married her husband in 1973 and would move to Oakland. She worked at Big Yank (later known as Water Valley Manufacturing), Yalobusha County Hospital, and Water Valley School District. Her love language was cooking. Every year at Christmas she would bake an assortment of Christmas candy and baked goods and friends would drop by for “some of Ms. Loretta’s Christmas goodies”. She was the epitome of a doting grandmother and loved her grandchildren beyond measure.

She is preceded in death by her parents JW and Esther Hanks of Batesville, Mississippi, and a sister, Bettye Sue Thornton of Sardis, Mississippi. Her husband of 51 years, Thomas Smith, passed away alongside her. Loretta is survived by two children, Bettye (Saxon) Durham of Bartlett, Tennessee and James “Jamie” (Joyce) Smith of Pontotoc, Mississippi; eight grandchildren, Chander Durham and Gabriel Durham of Bartlett, Tennessee, Matthew Smith and Madison Smith of Booneville, Mississippi, Hunter Smith of Coffeeville, Mississippi, Wilbur Rodgers, Tabatha Rodgers, and Salena Hollinger of Pontotoc, Mississippi; and one great-grandchild, Liam Durham of Cordova, Tennessee. She leaves two brothers, William (Lelia) Hanks of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and James Hanks of Courtland, Mississippi. 

Visitation will be December 2, 2024, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 4 pm to 6 pm with a memorial service immediately following. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated the Junior Auxiliary of Water Valley—Bundles of Love as the benefactor of any memorials. Loretta would save leftovers in the school cafeteria and make them available for children who may not have food resources at home. This fund provides nourishment to Yalobusha County children with food insecurities. The family feels that this is the perfect fit to honor Loretta’s memory. Checks can be sent to Water Valley Junior Auxiliary, PO Box 92, Water Valley, MS 38965 in memory of Loretta K Smith.