Evelyn Loretta Cosby, 95 years, of Monroe, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 1, 2022 in her home.
Born January 15, 1927 in Tazewell, TN, Loretta was the daughter of the late John Edward and Alpha (Minton) Campbell.
On November 23, 1946, Loretta married her beloved husband, Austin R. Cosby, in Middlesboro, KY. The couple moved to Monroe in 1948. Sadly, Austin preceded her in death on December 5, 2020 after 74 years of marriage.
Loretta and Austin joined Monroe Missionary Baptist Church in 1950. Loretta was a pillar of the church and volunteered extensively. She was a member of the JOY choir and the JOY nursing home ministry. She spent many hours cooking for church functions as well as funeral dinners and taught during Vacation Bible School.
Loretta was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking. Her specialty dishes were chicken and dumplings, sweet potato casserole, and stack cakes. She would dig up the sweet potatoes from her garden and pick the apples from her apple trees. She also enjoyed feeding the squirrels, watching the Hummingbirds, traveling, and playing board games. Austin would keep a running monthly tally of their daily Skip-Bo battles, "She always gets all the Skip-Bo's" he would say while shuffling the cards to deal again. Most of all she loved caring for and spending time with her family.
Loretta is survived by her loving daughter and son in law, Linda and Donald "Casey" Jones of Monroe, her son in law, Roger Navarre, four cherished grandchildren; Donnie (Jennifer) Jones, Angie (Bill) Owens, Autumn (Chris) Collins, and Jeff Navarre, seven treasured great grandchildren; Josh, Amy, Courtney, Caitlynn, Allison, Chris, and Kaycie, eight precious great great grandchildren and her sister, Cornelia Campbell of New Tazewell, TN.
In addition to her beloved husband and parents Loretta was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara "Bobbie" Navarre, a sister, Susie Willette and her cousin, whom was like a brother to her, James Minton.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 – 8 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where funeral services celebrating Loretta's life will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 11:00 am. The Rev's Roy Southerland and Tim Iocoangeli will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.
The funeral service will be live streamed via Bacarella Funeral Home website.