Loretta Essary, Highlandville, MO, daughter of Francis Marion and Edith May (Eutsler) Little, was born on April 08, 1937, in Highlandville, MO and departed this life on July 05, 2026, at the age of 89.

Loretta was a lifelong resident of the area and attended Spokane First Baptist Church, Spokane, MO.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Edith Little; a daughter, Oleeta Ellis, three brothers, five sisters, one great grandchild and one great, great grandchild.

Survivors include: her husband of fifty six years, Finis Essary of Highlandville, MO; two sons, Skeeter Rogers of Montague, TX and Ron Essary of Marionville, MO; four daughters, Bonnie Nicodemus and her husband, Dennis of Springfield, MO, Treva Rogers of Branson, MO, Alice Seaton and her husband, Mark of Highlandville, MO and Jean Layton and her husband, Roy of Marionville, MO; twenty one grandchildren; sixty four great grandchildren; thirty three great, great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Stumpff Funeral Chapel, Crane, MO. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Stumpff Funeral Chapel, Crane, MO with Randall Harwood officiating. Burial will be in Mars Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane, MO.