A Glimpse…it’s momentary, perceived brief or partial. Glimpse is moving through time; we have learned that life is like a vapor.
…for what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14
We move through life on a pilgrimage from the time we enter this world. Our lives are predestined; our steps are ordered from eternity to eternity. When God takes a stroll through His flower garden, He pick flowers with a special fragrance to place in His upper room; there for eternity. On Monday, February 06, 2023, at 8:09 pm, the sun set on our Queen and Matriarch pilgrimage here on earth at Salinas Valley Hospital. God moved her from His garden to the upper room, where she will add a fragrance of Love, a fragrance of Peace, a fragrance of Joy, a fragrance of Praise, a fragrance of Worship a fragrance of Everlasting Life.
This is a tribute to a great woman of God; she was a mentor, a role model, a care provider, a counselor, Mother, Mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, God mother, cousin, aunt, and friend. She was a mother of twelve children and lovingly raised a village in this community. She was affectionately known as mom or Granny Loretta.
Loretta Maureen Cox graced this world on August 9, 1930, in Los Angeles, California. To the parents of Robert Cox and Edith Sims, she was the oldest of three children. She was the only girl of with two brothers Robert and Ramon.
Momma Loretta gave her life to Christ and was baptized at an early age. She belonged to Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. She received her formal education in public schools in the Greater Los Angeles County areas. She furthered her education by completing nursing school and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), also, attended courses in early childhood education and criminal justice.
Some of her accomplishments were serving on the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) board in Los Angeles County. While raising her own children, she found the time to be an integral part of her community to ensure that other children would not go without and had the same privileges as her own.
Loretta lived in Los Angeles for thirty-two years before relocating to the beautiful coastal paradise of Seaside, California, where she would reside for the rest of her life. On the Monterey Peninsula, she continued in her career as a Nursing Assistant. She would go on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts; working hospitality events and finding time to volunteer in the Head Start Program. This surely maximized the gift God bestowed to her and left in her care.
With the fullness of her day, she enjoyed Word Search Puzzles, cooking for family and friends, attending her grandchildren, great grand children’s events, games, graduations, etc. She loves good music and on occasions a dance or two. Adding to her social accolades, she was a member of Post Worthy Matron Vasti #29 Courts, Past Matron of Prince Hall Grand High Courts Heroines of Jericho for the State of California, Eastern Star. She was actively involved with the NAACP, Monterey Branch; she enjoyed phone banking during General Elections.
Her legacy includes five generations of family giving purpose to what God ordained throughout eternity, though her purpose on earth was great, and the mission fulfilled. Loretta stamped the hearts and minds with memories worthy to be cherished. Through her children the legacy and memories will live on:
Terry Mitchell- Los Angeles, California
Constance Lee- Douglasville, Georgia (Patrick,)
Keith Mitchell- Seaside, California
Sheila Conners- Marina, California (Gerald,)
Carla Vinson Anderegg
Vernia Williams- Salinas, California
Andre William- Marina, California
Lamark Wanton- Salinas, California
Her adopted Children: Elserita, Carlette, Vernia, & Donte Wanton, & Jamie Watts
Loretta have over 145 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great- great grandchildren too many to be individually named, however, she had a phenomenal relationship with each of them. Also, three daughters in Love: Patricia Wanton, Annalisa Mitchell, and Dawn Mitchell. She had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She also held a special bond with her best friend Dorothy Bonds. And a special relationship with Illona Cooper.
Awaiting her arrival in the land called no more: are her Parents Edith McKinney and Robert Cox, Grandparents John T & Minner Sims, her beloved Husband Dave Wanton, her sons Maurice Stern, Gary “Pancho” Mitchell Sr. and James's “Spud” Williams, Her Brothers Robert and Ramon Cox, Loretta has several family members who have departed this life they too will be awaiting her arrival, Loretta will be truly missed by all that loved her for to know her or even be in her presence is to love her. She would not want us to cry but to Celebrate her life, so let’s celebrate.
A viewing and visitation for Loretta will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 390 Elm Ave, Seaside, California 93955. A celebration of life funeral service will occur Friday, March 3, 2023, at 12:00 PM at Greater Victory Temple Church Of God In Christ, 1620 Broadway Ave., Seaside, California 93955. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flat Rd., Seaside, California.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baysidecommunitymortuary.com for the Wanton family.
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