Loretta Mae (Cobb) Schmidt-Thomas

Loretta was born in Jimtown OK 9/23/1936, came to OKC in 1949 attended Putnam City HS and SouthWestern Bible college where she finished her high school. Loretta attended First Pentecostal Holiness Church pastored by S.N.

Green where she met her lifelong friend Charlotte Green and is how she met Robert L. “Bob” Chavez who became her first husband. Loretta worked at as a clerk typist at TAFB while in OKC. Bob was in the military at TAFB, so after they married they traveled a lot. Loretta and Bob had 4 children Caroll, Cheryl, Daryl and Toni, all of which were born in different states.

Caroll was born in OKC Cheryl in Las Vegas Nevada, Daryl in Okinawa and Toni in Topeka Kansas. Loretta was a black belt Judo instructor and an avid Bowler. Around 1971, Loretta moved back to OKC when they divorced. Loretta raised those 4 children by herself and they all attended Muse Memorial Church in OKC. Loretta has always been very proud of all her children and did everything and more for her kids. Loretta worked three jobs, one of which was an instructor at Magic Mirror Figure Saloon and another a waitress at the Western Ballroom, where she eventually met, Henry “Hank” J. Schmidt who work part-time security.

Hank was also the chief of police in Moore Ok and drove an 18-wheeler. Hank swept Loretta off her feet and treated her like a queen. Loretta was now working for the District attorney’s office in Downtown OKC. Hank and Loretta dated for approximately 10 years and during their courtship Hank and Loretta both enjoyed Casino bowling were they made enough money to save up for summer vacations 3 years in a row, renting a motor home and traveling with all of the family to almost every state.

Finally, in 1982, Loretta accepted Hanks proposal and they were married. They moved into Hank’s home in Moore, OK. Hank and Loretta attend Crossroads Cathedral in OKC pastored by Danny Shaffer. Loretta stopped working for the DA’s office and eventually opened the Central Café at SW 15th and Central, OKC. During the summer, Hank and Loretta loved to go Catfishing with some of the kids and grandkids. Loretta would use “Pa’s” old fishing pole and Hank had a secret dough bait that he would whipped up and they caught bushels of fish. They would hollower out “ONE!” and count up each time someone caught one. Some days they would each have 15 – 20 fish.

Hank would go home and clean all those fish and freeze them, save them up and have a big family fish fry at the end of the summer. Hank and Loretta had 18 wonderful years before he passed away in 2000. Loretta eventually married Mark Thomas a very dear friend, they were married for about 16 years and they continued living in the same house in Moore. Mark and Loretta were both characters and they cut up and made each other laugh all the time. Loretta was very feisty so the banter was always going. Mark and Loretta attended Harvest First Assembly of God in OKC, pastored by Mike Shaffer, where Loretta met Pat who became a very dear friend and they became Facebook friends during Covid. Loretta was always a very sharp dresser and everything had to perfect and ironed. Later on, in her life, she added wearing hats as part of her attire and she was really into those hats. Loretta has 38 hats! Loretta had a hair appointment every Thursday and that is where she met Jo, who also became a very close friend. They would have hair appointments at the same time, then go to lunch, and spend the afternoon together. Loretta really enjoyed and looked forward to that time with Jo. Loretta was blessed with a wonderful neighbor, Pam, who also became a close friend. Loretta and Pam watched out for each other and road the tornado’s out a couple of times in Loretta’s storm cellar.

Loretta has two sisters, Ada and Carolyn that she loves and adores deeply. Ada and Loretta talked almost every day and most days it was several times a day. Loretta is a very caring and giving person; she has taken care of Carolyn’s needs when her time comes to be with our Lord. Mark passed away a few years ago and Loretta remained in her house taking care of the upkeep, maintaining the yard and her fancy Cadillac until her sudden passing Friday June 30th, 2023 at the age of 86. Loretta loved sitting out on the back patio drinking a cup of coffee watching the birds and sometimes lighting the fire pit. She also enjoyed sitting on the front porch and visiting with her neighbors who all adore her.

Many friends, extended family including Ada, Rajeana, Rosina, Kelly and especially her immediate family, Caroll, Cheryl and Toni will miss Loretta, she was a big part of many lives. Loretta, also known as “Granny” has been blessed with seven grandchildren; Michelle, Elisha, Ryan, Aaron, Kristopher, Travis, Marissa, and nine great grandchildren; Lincoln, Hunter, Forest, Liam, Ella, Owen, Easton, Wyatt, Sloan all of which she was very proud of. Loretta loved her Heavenly Father and spent every morning in devotion and prayer. Loretta was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, Stanley and Polly Cobb; Brother, Edward Cobb; Son, Robert Daryl Chavez and Great Grandson, Vance Corpian. Mom, I love you and miss you so much already. Until I see you again, good night.