Loretta Kay Ragan

(Durham) – Loretta Kay Ragan, age 81, died at the Hock Family Pavilion on Monday, December 13^th, 2021. She was born on January 27^th, 1940 to the late Kitty Mason Ragan and William Henry Ragan.

Loretta was a life-long musician, music teacher, and composer. She studied at East Carolina University, however, her formational music education, like so many, was from the radio and local jam sessions at “Catsburg” country store, which was run by her parents. She continued throughout her life to bless everyone, within hearing distance, with her talent and love of Southern Gospel Music.

Her first song contract was from Jake Hess, who at that time was part of the group, The Master’s Five. Two of her many songs, “I Love You and “Under The Sun” are acknowledged by the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  She wrote and co-wrote many songs, but among her favorites were “Redeemed in the Blood of the Lamb”, “I Can Hardly Wait”, and “Sweet Life”, which was recorded by Janet Paschal.

Loretta was a member of Duke’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she served God, God’s people, and supported our many Pastors throughout the years. Her love of God, deep faith, love of music and love of human-kind is her true legacy. To know Loretta was to know you were loved. She never failed to remind friends, and strangers alike, how much they were loved, by expressing this with her heartfelt words “I love you”.

Loretta is survived by her Church family of Duke’s Chapel United Methodist Church, friend Jane Carden, cousins Sandra Nunn, Carie Irving and Susan Pless. Loretta was preceded in death by lifelong friend Irene Guerrant.

Funeral services will be held Friday December 17^th at Duke’s Chapel United Methodist church, 807 Old Oxford Road, Durham, NC 27704. Visitation at 12:00PM followed by the service at 1:00PM.  The service will be conducted by Loretta’s pastor, The Rev. Casey Mursten, and her former pastor, The Rev. Dr. Patrice Cheasty-Miller.  The interment will be Saturday December 18^th at 11:00AM at Maplewood Cemetery. Flowers are acceptable or memorials may be made to Duke’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

The Ragan family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.