On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, Mrs. Ida Loretta Walker Wells peacefully transitioned from her earthly home at her residence.

Loretta was born in Isle of Wight County on March 6, 1938 to the late Benjamin Douglas Walker and Mary Elizabeth Pugh Walker.  Loretta was educated at Isle of Wight Training School and was a graduate of the Class of 1957.

In 1954, Loretta met the love of her life, the Rev. P.D. Wells Jr. and they were married on Friday Aug. 28, 1959.  This union ended when Rev. Wells went home to be the Lord on Nov. 2, 2016.

Loretta was a teacher assistant with Surry County Public Schools.  Loretta drove the school bus for many years for Isle of Wight County Public Schools and Nansemond Suffolk Academy before retiring.  Her hobbies included arranging flowers and ceramics.  She enjoyed sharing her creations with family and friends.

Loretta first met the Lord at Mt. Tabor Church of God in Christ where she served in many capacities until she joined First Gravel Hill Baptist Church to be with her husband. Loretta was a member of the First Senior Choir for many years; she was an active member of the Deaconess and Hospitality Ministries.  Loretta enjoyed worshipping and serving, but when her husband was called to the ministry, she left to support him.

Loretta was predeceased in death by her beloved husband, the Rev. P.D. Wells Jr. and three siblings, Otto Walker, Jacqueline Johnson and Nettie Johnson.  Memories will forever remain in the heart of her daughter and son-in-love, Wanda and Russell Savedge Jr. of Surry; son and daughter-in-love, Donovan and Monica Wells of Deltona, Fla., and P.D. Wells III of Staunton.  Loretta has four loving grandchildren, Russell “Rusty” Savedge III (Christina), Peter Donovan Savedge, Brianna Holloman and Emily Rose Wells; and three great-grandchildren, Cardyn, Sam and Joe.

When Loretta spoke of her siblings she lovingly referred to them as “my sister” or “my brother,” and they are Marguerite Tynes, Mary Green (James) and Luther Walker (Virginia), both of Smithfield, Milton Walker (Nannie Ruth) of Windsor, Ann Sumler (Michael) of Chesapeake, and Robert Walker of Largo, Md.; in-laws, Marion Walker of Windsor, Pernell Johnson of Smithfield, Ernestine Slade of Surry and Rebecca Armstrong of Newport News.  Loretta leaves many loving nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. at First Gravel Hill Baptist Church, Smithfield.  Viewing will take place Thursday, Feb. 6, 4-7 p.m. at Shivers Funeral Chapel. Loretta is under the loving and professional care of Shivers Funeral Chapel.