Loretta June Free

Loretta June Free, age 89, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2026 at The Green House Cottages of Homewood in Mena, Arkansas. Loretta was born on Tuesday, April 13, 1937, in Watson, Oklahoma to Lawrence Vardner Woodard and Elsie Ruth Walker Woodard.

Loretta was a devoted Christian woman whose life was guided by her faith in Jesus Christ. She was kind, strong, compassionate, and intelligent, with a deep love for her family and a loyal heart. She knew her Bible well and cherished her Bible studies and commentaries, finding great joy in teaching others about Jesus. Loretta was a talented oil painter in her younger years and was also gifted in calligraphy. She enjoyed working outside alongside her late beloved husband, Albert. Loretta was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, where she especially enjoyed attending her son Steven’s adult Sunday school classes. Some of her sweetest memories were made during tea parties with her grandchildren, complete with fancy hats, laughter, and plenty of fun. Above all, Loretta loved her family immensely and treasured the time she spent sharing her faith, her talents, and her love with those around her.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Albert Edward Free.

Loretta is survived by her sons and daughter in law, Shawn and Tammy Free, and Steven Free; her daughter and son in law, Shelley and Brent Fountain; her sisters and brother in law, Joan Rice, and Helen and Jim Tauriainen; her grandchildren, Chris Beck, Sarah and Shane Beck, Michael Medford, Allie Free, Leslie and Brandon Ezeil, Tori and Steve Davis, Dusty and Hannah Fountain, and Brett and Candace Fountain; her nephews and nieces, Julie and Ray Brown, and Eric and Velma Tauriainen; numerous great grandchildren, cousins, friends and church family.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas with Brother Zach Johnson officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Honorary Pallbearers are Luke Alston, Dustin Mauk, Ronald Smith, Darrell Smallwood, Eddie Kennedy, Jerry Emry, Pistol Sherrill, Arlon Faught, and Tom Hairston.

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com