Loretta Dawn Epling

Loretta Dawn Epling was born in Van, WV on June 11, 1938 to Reda and Sydney Gunnoe. She had 5 older siblings: Pete, Piermont, Yvonne, June, and Gary Gunnoe, along with 3 younger siblings: John, Gail, and Lana Turner. She left this world on Jan 7,2024. She was 85 years old. Loretta attended Van High School where she met her one and only true love, Billy Gene Epling, at the church they attended. Loretta and Billy were married on Aug 5, 1961, and Loretta gave birth to their first child, Diana, on their 1st anniversary. The couple welcomed their son Dwayne,14 months later.

Loretta was a devoted and loving wife and mother, who spread genuine kindness and compassion to everyone that had the joy of meeting her. One of her passions was her love of music and singing for her family and friends that were lucky enough to hear her.  The majority of the songs she would sing were renditions of her favorite artist, Loretta Lynn. Along with singing, she also loved to dance. Both her children and grandchildren always enjoyed watching her do the twist and other classics like one of her favorites, sweating to the oldies by Richard Simmons during her morning workout routines.   

She became a grandmother on Aug 25,1981. This was the first of many grandchildren whose lives she would touch with her natural joy, pureness of heart, and gentle sweetness through her compassionate soul.  She made sure that everyone she met felt her love for them. Last but not least, Loretta had an infectious smile that brilliantly shined; she never let anyone, or anything take that beautiful smile away from her.  For these and so many more reasons, she will be greatly missed.

Loretta was preceded in death by her mother, Reda Workman; stepfather whom she adored, John Turner; her sisters: Yvonne Cradic and June Brown; brothers: Pete Gunnoe, Piermont Gunnoe, and Gary Gunnoe; as well as her husband of 38 years, Billy Epling; her granddaughter, Jennifer White; grandson, Elvis Adkins Jr; and great granddaughter, Haleigh Bryan.

She is survived by her children: Diana ( Dickey) Adkins, Dwayne ( Jeannine) Epling; grandchildren: Christopher (Tiffany) Tucker, Brian Tucker, Nicholas ( Amanda) Tucker, Stephen ( Sherri) Tucker, Corey ( Brittany) Tucker, Azariah, Emma, Hannah, Rebecca, Samuel, Arianna, and Bethany Epling, Sarah Epling Johnson, and Chelsea Lynn Adkins; and great grandchildren: Richard Jordan Thompson, Brianna Tucker, Roxy Tucker, MaKayla Tucker, Layken Chandler, Layla Tucker, Sebastian Tucker, Courtney, Mason, Lincoln and Colt Johnson, Braydon and Tyler Adkins, Elena and Izabella Kammerer, Ryllie, Brooklyn and Teiggan Goble, and Shawn Bryan, along with many special nieces, nephews, and friends including her special sisters in law Brenda McCloud and Betty Dolin. Special thanks to the staff of Hillcrest Nursing Facility for the love and care given to our precious mother.

Visitation will be held at Handley Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. followed by service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dwayne Epling officiating.  Burial will follow in the Green Cemetery at Bandytown, WV.

If you are unable to attend this service, you can watch the service at this link: https://youtube.com/live/kFepgkME7eQ?feature=share