Loretta June (Dukie) Gartin was born October 23, 1934, to proud proud parents James (Jimmie) and Marguerite (Tit) Long. Both parents proceeded her in death.
Loretta attended IPS and Crispus Attucks High School. She professed her hope in Christ at a young age, at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Her love for the Lord and for people, especially her family always shined bright through her actions. She was the directress of the Cherub Choir for years, and it was one of the happiest periods of her life.
She met, fell in love with and married Robert Gartin, and to their union one daughter was born, Diana Ruth “Dina”. She was the light of their lives.
Loretta was employed by Donna & Peter Kahlo for over 40 years, hence they became her second family. Loretta enjoyed many things, especially her dogs, cooking, shopping and fishing with the “gang”. She will always be remembered by anyone who knew her for her famous spaghetti, it was one of a kind. There was never a cook-out, family dinner or gathering that her spaghetti was not requested, even demanded. It was delicious and never duplicated. Loretta also love to shop, especially for her family at Christmas time. That was her special time. First because it was the birth of Jesus, and secondly because she got to shop til she dropped (literally) especially for the children in her family. She’d start Christmas shopping in September, and on Christmas Day our kids got so much stuff from her, they thought she was “Santa”. They’d probably say “Santa Claus is a Black Woman” for real. She loved seeing their faces light up, and don’t get it twisted she showered the adults too!! She was most happy when she was making all of her family happy. That was just “Dukie”.
Loretta departed this life August 15, 2015 at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 7 days, and the void left in her family will be felt deeply and never filled.
She leaves hundreds of cherished memories to her daughter Diana and her husband Ray Sr. (who was more like a son), her baby brother Rev. Kevin D. (Robyn) Long, four grandchildren, Dominque, Howard Groves, Robert Parham Sr. Ray L. (Shanta) Parham, Jr. and Lori Parham. Great grandchildren, Justice Cornelius, Robert J. Parham Jr., Daisia, Dynasti, Karmen and Legacy Groves, Jeremiah, Stacia and Jameer Parham and two great-great grandchildren, O’Shea Hamilton and Jiya Cornelius. One uncle, Honorable Judge Carr (Lundy) Darden. Beloved nieces and nephews, Nigel, Danielle and Raechel Long, Musa (Donna) Mwaafrika, Beverly (Sam) Johnson, and Debra (Howard) Holifield. Very special friends, Donna Kahlo, Erma Bowers and Catherine White, and a host of other relatives and friends who will never forget “Dukie” and all of the special times shared. A funeral service will be held o Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church 2815 Sutherland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 4205