Loretta A. Lewis

Loretta A. Lewis, age 71, of Quincy, died on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in Blessing Hospital Emergency Room. She was born on February 16, 1951 in LaGrange, MO the daughter of Leo and Eleanora (Dade) Lewis.

Loretta was the first female African American Police Officer with the Quincy Police Department retiring after thirty years with the Department. Along with Lynn Niewohner, Loretta was co-owner of Midwest Professional Investigations. Other careers involved working at the Senior Center as Director of the Aging and Disability Resource Center and chief deputy coroner.

She loved the outdoors, traveling and her family was her priority.

Loretta is survived by her daughter, Vonita White of Quincy; three grandchildren: Suatara White, Tonai and Tanesha Woodson all of Quincy; six great grandchildren: Amiir Johnson, Leila White, Amina Johnson, Liam White, Landon White, Zen’daya Schroder and one on the way; one brother, George Dade of Quincy. A host of nieces, nephews and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters; Larry Lewis, Juanita Lewis, Harry Lewis, Alice Bell and Mark Lewis.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Interment in Memorial Cemetery, LaGrange, MO. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Messages may be shared with the family online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.

23 Comments

  1. Sandra Davis on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta & I got to be the best of friends when I volunteered for the ACEMA 34 years ago! Loretta used to ask me when I was out on a detail if I got paid for this event & I said, “no!” We got to be best friends ever since! Loretta was a wonderful person & hard worker & great police officer! I already miss this outstanding police officer! Sorry for your loss of a great lady!

  2. Sandra Davis on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    One of the greatest ladies I have ever known! She was the best of the best! She, also, helped me when I was I’ll in the past!

  3. Janet (Johnson) Hunter on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta took her job seriously and did it well. Even if you did not know her personally, you knew who she was.. “thank you for the service you did for the community Loretta, and may you rest in peace” Prayers to the family.

  4. Janet Reed on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers of comfort for her family. Loretta was a sweet lady and a great tour guide.always smiling and helping others.rest in peace dear friend

  5. Anita & Alanna Dawson on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Sending our heartfelt sympathy to Vonita and family Loretta one of Quincy’s Finest will surely be missed, never forgotten prayers & the entire family.

  6. Norman Harris on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Dear family members and friends of Loretta Lewis. It is with our deepest and most cherished memories of our cousin Loretta, that we know she will always be in our collective hearts and thoughts as person who earned her rightful place in heaven with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Loretta was a compassionate human being who selflessly demonstrated her genuine love for family and an unwavering professional dedication to serving her community. With love, sadness and deepest admiration from New York, cousin Butch and wife Linda

  7. mickalyn brandt crawford on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    I knew Loretta when I was a small child. She lived 2 houses away from me in a big 2 story house in LaGrange. I was probably around 4 years old when I first met her. My dad and I were looking for my cat and Loretta came out and helped. I just loved to be around her. I remember all the kids there and Gramps. I always wondered where she was and just found out a few years ago from Greta Lewis where she was. I would have loved to have talked to her again. I am so sorry for your loss. Loretta was a beautiful person inside and out.

  8. Ann mccleey on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    So sad to hear of her passing. I just saw her a month ago and we caught up . I always respected her thought she was a kind and thoughtful person. RiP

  9. Kristin Niewohner Wells on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    You will be greatly missed. A great honor to have known you. My heart is sadden.

  10. Bob&cindy johnson on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Bonita, Loretta was not only a great neighbor and friend it was great to have known her we will miss her friendly smile

  11. Tom Leeper on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Very much enjoyed knowing & workiing with you for many, many years!

  12. Mary Wickell on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta willbe missed she was a good friend

  13. Vickie Larson on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    I met Loretta on a senior citizens trip from the senior center (she was a guide) she’s was so much fun!

    Sorry for your loss.

  14. John a LaTour on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    I consider it a privilege to have been able to call Loretta my friend and wish her family the best.

  15. Roger & Jeanne Thomas on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    We will greatly miss our very kind & thoughtful neighbor. She is resting in God’s loving arms. My thoughts & prayers to her family who she loved so much. She will be missed.

  16. Laura A. Megown on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta was a one of kind. A wonderful, co-worker and mentor! May her light shine bright in heaven with God for lives among the angels!

  17. Linda and Larry Snyder on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Our sympathy to the family.

  18. Deb Borrowman on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta was a beautiful woman inside and out. Our hearts are heavy and we are still in shock . She was a great caring person to travel with and we sure are going to miss her a lot rest in peace, my friend. My heart goes out to her kids and grandkids. She loved him so very much.

  19. teresa pickle on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Gerry and I send our deepest condolences to Loretta’s family, She was an amazing law enforcement officer. May God grant you strength in the days and weeks ahead and may your many wonderful memories provide you comfort.

  20. Carol Calkins on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta was one of Quincy’s finest (right up there with Theda Jansen) and as a police officer. I have had the pleasure of working and knowing Loretta over the years. Our condolences to her family. May she rest in peace. Carol and Bill Calkins

  21. pam navolio on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Your Mom,s/Grandma,s witt, kindness,generosity and caring nature was contagious, and her memory will live on forever!!! Loretta was TRULY a special lady…she was the best of the best. Our hearts are very very heavy for all of you. Our heartfelt sympathies…Bob and Pam Navolio

  22. Lee Mueller on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta was one of the finest persons and police officers I have had the pleasure of knowing. Our condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.

  23. John & Maxine Elliott on January 5, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Loretta was a great friend she will be missed so much.

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