Loretta LaRosa Young

Loretta LaRosa Graves-Young affectionately known as “Ma” or “Grandma Retta” was born July 7, 1949 to Robert Lee Graves and Carlene Cannon Graves in Starksville, MS. She was the second oldest of seven children.

She was a proud graduate of Fort Campbell High School and Austin Peay State University. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights where she sang in the choir.

Loretta’s eldest daughter, Tonya Graves-Allen, was born July 25,1968. In 1975, she married Everette Young and to that union, Selima Ayana Young was born.

She moved to Brooklyn, New York; where she began working at Women’s Wear Daily in New York City. Loretta was also employed at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where she worked as a Volunteer and Membership Coordinator for 27 years. After retiring in 2008, she returned to Clarksville,TN to care for her mother until her passing in 2015. Loretta enjoyed tai chi, naturopathy, spending time with her family and finding new hobbies to fill her time.

Loretta passed from this life to her heavenly reward on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Tennova Hospital.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Tonya Graves-Allen and Selima Young; her grandchildren: Tatyana Allen, Manasseh (Kenneth) Young, Owen Young and Daelyn Allen; her great-grandson, Robert Scott Jr., great- grand dog, Melanin Allen, and great- grand cat Kitty; her siblings : Robert (Keith) Graves Jr., Ellametria Graves-Colon, Linda Payne, Pearlene (Willie) Powell, Maurice (Odette) Graves, and Jacqueline (Sam) Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday February 5, 2022 at 12 noon at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church located at 1750 Needmore Road, Clarksville, TN. Dr. David D. Allen will officiate.  Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of services.  Arrangements are under the care of Gateway Funeral Home and Cremation Center  335 Franklin Street  Clarksville, TN  37040.  Phone 931-919-2600.  Online condolences may be made by going to www.gatewayfh.com.