Loretta Smith Valentine, age 79, a resident of Moab, Utah, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2015, at home under the loving care of Grand Valley Hospice. She was born August 23, 1935, in Clovis, New Mexico, to Audie Busby and Clyde Arthur Smith. She was the third of three children.
Loretta attended middle and high school in Montrose, Colorado, where she was a majorette for the high school band. After graduation, she married Kenneth Shepherd and they moved to Alamosa, Colorado, to attend Adams State College. Together they had four children who were her pride and joy. She was an excellent homemaker, great cook (being well known for her bread and cinnamon rolls), talented organizer and master flower and rock gardener. She enjoyed bookkeeping and retired as office manager for Tender Hearts Home Health Care in Moab. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding many callings throughout her years of Christ-like service to her family, friends and community members in need. Her favorite calling was serving at the Moab Stake Family History Center. Her sincere love of genealogy and temple work benefited many of her ancestors and her living relatives.
In 1978, Loretta married Dennis Valentine. They moved to Moab in June 1992, sharing a love for the beautiful red mountains and warm temperatures. They spent many days rock hunting, going on picnics, seeking out geysers and locating petroglyphs. Their house became the favored vacation spot of the children and grandchildren who knew they would be spoiled the minute they arrived.
Loretta is survived by her kind and loving husband, Dennis Valentine. Her children are Kim (Mike) Schaefer of Monte Vista, Colorado; Shauna (Monte) Morgan of Spanish Fork, Utah; Karen Shepherd of Redding, California and Michael (Michelle) Shepherd of Parker, Colorado. Step-daughters are Wendy (James)Taylor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Corinne (James) Valentine-McElvoy of Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by 15 grand-children: Stephanie, Brady, Mitchell, Meredith, Holly, Hannah, Breanne, Keaton, Mikaela, Mitchell, Marshall, Carl, Allison, Rachel and Katie. Also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, including Devyn, Elyan, Elyas, Savannah, Michelle, Jed, Hank, SJ, Heather and Millie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Audie Busby and Clyde Arthur Smith; her brother, Clyde “Tutor” Smith; and sister, Peggy Goolsby.
A viewing was held Friday, March 20, at the Spanish Valley Mortuary in Moab. Donations can be directed to the Grand County Hospice, which provided much love and care in Loretta’s last days, or the Humanitarian Fund of the LDS Church.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
