- Date Of Birth: May 29, 1932
- Date Of Death: October 16, 2020
- State: Kentucky
Loretta Barndollar Gevedon, age 88, of Morehead, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 16, 2020, at St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead surrounded by loving family.
She was born May 29, 1932, in Clearfield, a daughter of the late William Arthur and Martha Stewart Barndollar. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Telford “Doc” Gevedon; one son, Frank Gevedon; and three brothers, Walter Barndollar, Robert Barndollar, and William H. “Bill” Barndollar.
Loretta Gevedon, retired GTE associate, devout Christian, plant lover, bird watcher, yard saler, but most of all the sweetest human to walk the face of the earth, was lovingly known to all as “Mamaw Retta.
Her most prized possessions, though, were her grandchildren to whom she would give the world and loved fiercely. April recalls one afternoon jumping up and down on the bed as hard as she could with her granddaddy standing nearby watching. Mamaw Retta walked in from work and screamed, “Doc! What are you letting this kid do?” to which he replied, “Ah, Loretta, I’m standing right here watching her!”
She loved her family and was extremely proud to be one of five children to the late Martha and William Barndollar. Loretta loved her mother and often would speak of what a kind, gentle woman she was, along with being an amazing cook. Martha Barndollar owned “Mom’s Kitchen,” where Loretta worked as a server during high school.
Speaking of Loretta’s cooking, it was very well known. Cooking was her love language. When people lost loved ones, had birthdays, or just to show she was thinking of them, she baked a special goody. Her favorites were chocolate pies, angel food cakes with caramel icing, and the beloved peanut butter blossom and molasses cookies. When Brooke and Ethan began grocery shopping for her, they were amazed at how many cake mixes Mamaw would have on her list to buy each week!
Loretta’s Appalachian roots showed in her sayings. She frequently used phrases such as, “I’m going to beat you with an ugly stick!” “Well, that’s just snakes and lizards!” “Hot zig!” and “I’ll be!”
Loretta Gevedon, through her devout faith in God, steadfast strength, thoughtfulness, loyalty, generous ways, contagious smile and laughter, and undying love for anyone and everyone she knew, will live on through eternity in every single life she interacted with—because everyone loved “Mamaw Retta.”
