Loretta May Neal

Loretta May Neal, 91, of Mooresville and former resident of Amo, gained peace after passing in the comfort of her own home on Thursday, May 11, 2023. She was born on February 2, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana, to the late John Mitchell and Jessie (Griffith) Dismore. Loretta’s young life journey required her to possess a great deal of strength. Frequently forced to feel the unfamiliarity of life’s changes, Loretta was raised by a single mother who specialized in travel nursing, keeping them on the go. Living like a gypsy and building up resilience, Loretta’s childhood was filled with continuously switching to different schools, which prepared her for the twists and turns life would throw at her in the years to come. Entering the union of marriage at the tender age of fifteen with a gentleman named Herman Cletis Brown on November 7, 1947, the pair established a home together and had four wonderful children. After his unexpected passing in 1968, Loretta found herself following in her mother’s footsteps as a single and devoted mother. Then in November of 1971, she married Harold Neal who greatly loved her children. When her second husband passed, she found companionship with Richard Roddy. The snowbirds headed south to Punta Gorda, Florida spending winters in their trailer where they enjoyed good company with mutual friends and attended the VFW in Charlotte County. A natural nurturer, Loretta was a talented cook, known for her mouth-watering fried chicken. A strict matriarch, she spoke her mind freely and without regret. She will be deeply and forever missed by all who were blessed to know her. A past member of the Mooresville Eagles Loretta was employed with RCA, worked at the store in the TA Truck Stop, and when her children were young, she worked at the Amo Cafeteria. Small yet mighty, she was the life of the party and a cougar on the dance floor. With red hair and a hint of evil in her eye, she had an extraordinary way of slipping profanity into her game. Blessed with a green thumb, she enjoyed gardening, packing a picnic and going fishing, crocheting, crafting, as well as feeding the birds and other wildlife critters. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, David Lee Brown; first husband and father of her children, Herman Cletis Brown; former husband, Harold Robert Neal; loving companion of 18 years, Richard Roddy; half-siblings, Mildred Duell and George Mitchell; and daughter in law, Debbie Brown. Left to mourn her passing include her children, Laverne Hoffman (Terry) of Monrovia, Mike Brown of Amo, Patricia McCubbins (Perry) of Monrovia; ten grandchildren, David McCubbins (Jessi) of Noblesville, Mikey Brown (Missy) of Amo, JT Brown (Carrie) of Danville, Brian Travelsted (Melissa) of Camby, Stacey Harris (Dave) of Monrovia, Lisa Theissen (Eric) of Clayton, Jessica Elliott of Monrovia, Amy Parsons (Tracy) of Mooresville, Steve Hoffman (Dawn) of Mooresville, Brandy Hammans (Phil) of Martinsville; along with 36 adored great-grandchildren; 10 beloved great-great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and friends. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm., and Pastor Shelly Zook will officiate. Family and friends are invited to line up at the funeral home at 1:15 and follow in the funeral procession; departing from Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia at 1:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Desert Rose Foundation, P.O Box 1754, Martinsville, IN 46151, or donate online by clicking https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=59D7R3PLCJSY4&ssrt=1684338304503. To share a favorite story, send the family an online condolence, or light a candle in her memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com

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Loretta May Neal

February 2, 1932 - May 11, 2023