Minnie "Loretta" Workman

Loretta Wall Workman, daughter of Alonzo and Ida Thompson Wall, was born November 3, 1925 in Pulaski County, Missouri. At the age of 15, she married Elmer Workman, Jr. and to this union three children were born. After the end of World War II, she and her husband made their home in Richland, Missouri where in 1945 they opened Elmer’s G.I. Drive-In. Loretta belonged to several civic groups and volunteered many hours to charitable organizations. She was a staunch Republican and served on the election board of Richland for over 35 years. She was the original Welcome Wagon Lady of Richland for several years and also worked in Wendall Bailey’s office in Waynesville while he served as Congressman. Loretta was a fighter and she had battled Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for over 20 years. Her strength to battle lymphoma for so long came from her faith in God. She became a member of the First Christian Church of Richland in 1946 and attended faithfully for over 50 years. In her spare time, Loretta loved to work out in her yard and did so until her health started to decline. She was known for her beautiful quilts and was also on a bowling league in her younger days. Loretta felt her greatest achievement had been in raising her three children. Her greatest pleasure was being with grandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves to mourn her passing three children: Coy Workman and wife Iva Nell of Richland, MO, Leah Helms and husband Dennis of Richland, MO and Lana Gilbert and husband Ronnie of Waco, TX; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law: Norma Johnson of Richland, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers: Farris and Dennis Wall; one granddaughter: Kate Workman; one son-in-law: Fred Dunham; and one grandson-in-law: Bradley Barrett. Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 6, 2015 in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Pastor’s Tim Gola and Christopher Hendrix officiating. Soloist, Patricia Light sang “Precious Memories.” Serving as escorts were, Todd Dunham, Ashton Barrett, Michael Burke, Kyle Burke, Paul Barrera, Tyler Helms and James Workman. Honorary escorts included Gerald Johnson, Rex Wall, Randy Wall, Tony Helms, Gene Boyd and Don Wall. Burial followed in the Oaklawn Cemetery of Richland. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in memory of Loretta Workman to the Warren Senior Center of Richland or the First Christian Church of Richland Scholarship Fund and may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent at www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com.

Minnie "Loretta" Workman

November 3, 1925 - September 3, 2015