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Loretta Burrus Simpson was born Aril 12, 1944, Norfolk, Virginia. She was the oldest daughter of Nettie Murray Burrus and Richard Lee Burrus, Sr. who resided most of their lives in Fairfield, North Carolina. She was affectionately referred to as "GaGa" by her grandchildren and "Retta" by some family members. After dealing with declining health for a season, Loretta gained her wings on October 16, 2023 at the age of 79.

Loretta grew up in a Christian family and joined them at an early age in worship at Star Zion Church of Christ-Disciples of Christ in Fairfield, North Carolina. Throughout her adult life, she maintained her connection to God and found a place of worship in her given location. In Delaware, North Carolina, and New York, she worshiped at the following churches in this order: Calvary Baptist Church, Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church, and the Christ Friendship Baptist Church. Loretta engaged in Christian service at each of these locations and joined her husband, the late Deacon Lorenzia Simpson, as a member of the church choir. Like her husband, she loved singing praises to the Lord and was often asked to lead the song "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah-Since I Laid My Burden Down."

Loretta graduated from Hyde County Training School located in Swan Quarter, North Carolina, in 1962. The school has since been re-named and is now the O.A. Peay High School. While in high school, she avidly applied herself to her studies and pursued a career in cosmetology following her graduation. She earned a certification as a beautician and spent many years helping women and men look their very best. She opened a beauty shop in Rochester, New York, worked as a beautician at Rochester's Monroe Developmental Center, and later set up a shop at her Henrietta, New York residence. Her clients were drawn to her warm personality, professionalism, and high quality work. While at Monroe Developmental Center, Loretta een served for a number of years a foster parent for one of the center's clients.

On August 9, 1964, Loretta was united in holy matrimony with Lorenzia Simpson, the son of Carrie Ethel Simpson and Preston Simpson of Fairfield, North Carolina. The couple enjoyed a blessed union for 7 years; and from this union, four children were born. As the wife of a military man, Loretta and family lived in several states including Arizona, California, Delaware, New York, Georgia, and North Carolina. Wherever Loretta landed, she adjusted well to her new surroundings, kept her family running smoothly, and found a place of worship.

During her life, Loretta amassed a great number of friends and acquaintances. She was very outgoing person who loved to host events at her home and to reach out to those who were having a difficult time. As a parent, she helped to provide a stable and loving home, dispensed tried-and-true guidance, and did all she could to ensure a successful life for her children. In her role as "GaGa", her home was always open for a visit or longer stay by her grandchildren. As she did with her own children, she supported her grandchildren's school and extra-curricular activities, brought them together for family events, and watched them blossom as they came of age.

Loretta was warm and giving; graceful and dignified; intelligent and discerning; caring and compassionate; and alas, longsuffering. She was a woman of faith who loved the Lord and brought her children up with a solid spiritual background. She loved to keep herself looking good, decorate her home, travel near and far, wash clothes, fish all day when possible, and watch her husband cook. She had a great sense of humor and could be counted on to laugh at her husband's many jokes.

Loretta was preceded in death by her mother and father; Nettie and Richard Burrus, Sr; her older brother, Richard Burrus, Jr.; her grandparents; her in-laws, Carrie Ethel and Preston Simpson; and several special aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She leaves the following to cherish her loving memory; Four children;  Kristopher Simpson of the Dominican Republic; Cheryl Simpson Pillow of Charlotte, North Carolina; Craig Simpson of Seattle , Washington; Chandra Simpson of Los Angeles, California; one "adopted" daughter; Sylvia Miller Wimberly of Rochester, New York; sixteen grandchildren and twelve grandchildren; three sisters; Gladys (Christopher) Tillman of Henrietta, New York; Lillian (Jim) Norman of Pittsford, New York; and Estelle Morris of Dover, Delaware; one brother, James Burrus of Rochester, New York; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Green of Dover, Delaware and Barbara Burrus of Conyers, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and acquaintances.

Loretta, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day. (Excerpt from 2 Timothy 4:7-8).