Loretta Cooper passed away at the age of 85, on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at The Legacy at Morrison Woods Nursing Home in Muncie, Indiana. Loretta was born on May 28, 1935 to Bennie and Nellie Baldridge in Morehead, Kentucky.

Loretta was the 4 th born of nine children. She was a feisty tomboyish girl, who liked throwing rocks, until she met a local farm boy named Harvey Cooper. They fell in love! When Harvey returned home from the Korean War, they were married. Soon after, they began their family in Muncie, Indiana. Like other women of her generation, Loretta became a homemaker and loving mother to three children. The family lived in Muncie, but their Eastern Kentucky roots were strong. The family spent a lot of time in Morehead on Grandpa Cooper's farm and gathering around the Baldridge's big kitchen table for breakfast with cousins, aunts, and uncles. Family and family roots were important to both Loretta and Harvey. She loved to fish, was a great cook, and loved country music, especially fellow-Kentuckian, Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty; and the woman could paddle (and I don't mean a boat). "Spare the rod and spoil the child!" was strictly adhered to in the Cooper home. When her children were older, Loretta reentered the workforce in the restaurant industry. She spent many years at Mr. Steak, a local restaurant. Loretta was recognized as having the "perfect personality" to mingle with guests making them feel at home. In her later years, she went back to being a homemaker, grandma, and great grandma.

The last two years have been difficult, as Loretta walked her path down that long dark tunnel that is dementia/Alzheimer's. It's like looking at a polaroid photograph that fades quickly with each passing day. Now she has a new body and life, free from infirmities. She is reunited with her mom, dad, brothers, and sister who have passed before and will welcome the rest of our family or yours as we each make that journey.

Loretta is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harvey H. Cooper of Muncie; sons, Larry D. Cooper (Kathy) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Jerry L. Cooper (Elizabeth) of Littleton, Colorado; daughter, Connie Mochal (James) of Muncie; brothers, Earnie Baldridge (Jan) of Oklahoma and Virgil Baldridge (Darlene) of Wabash, Indiana; sisters, Delores Jones (Waverly) of Lexington, Kentucky and Shirley Morgan (Ed) of Florida; nine grandchildren - Elijah, Stephanie, Tyler Cooper, Justin, Derek Cooper, Crystal Bazile, Jasmine Brandenburger, and Ryan and Brooke Mochal; seven great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Nellie Petitt Baldridge; brothers, Charles, Lenvil, and Worlie Baldridge; and sister, Maxine McCarty.

The Family would like to thank everyone for their expressions of condolences and sympathy. The tributes and remembrances have been heartwarming. "Mom, we will miss you every day. The circle won't be unbroken. You did good. You really did." Love, Larry

Private visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 North State Road 3, Muncie with private funeral services immediately following at 2:00 pm, also in the Funeral Home, officiated by Brandon Petro. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Visit www.alz.org/ for more information. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com .

Per Governor Holcomb, effective Monday, November 22, 2020, Garden View Funeral Home and Gardens of Memory Cemetery are limited to a maximum of 25 people wearing masks inside or outside. Once the maximum is reached, no additional visitors will be permitted for entry. Thank you for your cooperation.