Loretta Grace (Johnson) Stemple

In the early morning of Thursday, April 16, 2026, Loretta Grace (Johnson) Stemple, 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior.

Loretta was born on September 27, 1935, in Olive Hill, Kentucky, one of seven children, to the late Estill and Angie (Wilson) Johnson.

Growing up on a tobacco farm during the Great Depression, her family did not have much, but her memories were filled with a lot of love between the 7 siblings and their parents. One of her favorite memories of her father growing up was at a time when she was a young girl and became very sick. It was harvest time, and there was a lot of work to be done on the farm, but he put his workload aside for a few hours to sit with her and spoon-feed her bits of "scraped apple." Other fond memories included how her mother, Angie, would sew the girls' dresses from flour sacks and how beautiful she felt in them. Times of hardships would go on to forge in her what she and her sisters called "the Johnson Girl Spirit' characterized by strength, integrity, a lot of spunk, and the ability to make a meal and a dollar stretch! These times also instilled in her the gift of hospitality, cooking, and sewing, all of which she excelled.

In 1954, while working as a carhop just outside Dayton, Ohio, Loretta met the love of her life, Joseph Stemple. Joe had just come to grab a bite to eat when Loretta accidentally spilled an entire milkshake in his lap. As they say, the rest is history. They were married three months later on November 26, 1954. Shortly thereafter, Joe was called over to Japan as the Vietnam War was just beginning. The wait list for military wives to join their husbands during war was daunting, but Joe found a way to get his new bride over in less than six months! Over the next few years, Loretta and Joe would go on to have two beautiful little girls.

In 1967, the family landed in Warner Robins, where they decided to plant down roots. Until Joe retired, Loretta volunteered at the base hospital, managed Sun City Fashions in Perry, and taught Sunday School at Evergreen Baptist Church. Following his retirement, they spent their time traveling to all 50 states, hunting down cookie jars at garage sales, hosting elaborate parties with and for their " Circle of Friends," remodeling houses, volunteering at Christian Social Ministries as a counselor and cook, working with the Red Cross Disaster Relief, and doting on their grandchildren.

Loretta was a longtime member of Evergreen Baptist from 1968-1987 and Central Baptist from 1987 until her passing. If there were one thing at the age of 90 that she would want you to know, it would be to know and follow Jesus Christ. She lived this mission out every day of her life.

Loretta is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe; daughter, Becky; her parents; brother, El Dee; and sisters, Betty Richmond, Faye Sparks, and Darlene Cox.

Survivors include their daughter, Theresa Stemple Fraysure (Dr. Paul W. Fraysure Jr.); Jack Curington who was like a son to them and was Becky’s husband during her life here (Peggy); grandchildren, Sarah Curington Eno (Robert) of Brunswick, GA; Quintin Curington (Stephanie) of Warner Robins, GA; Paul Winfred Fraysure III (Courtney) of Zebulon, GA; and Dr. Ashley Roe (Travis) of Fairview, TN. Loretta is also survived by 9 great grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Arnett (Howard) and Janice Buffington; and many other family members and dear friends.

The family would like to thank Enhabit Hospice and Georgia Cares for their wonderful care and support; specifically to caregivers Lillian Wright, Marichu Arflin, and Michelle Haskell, all of whom have become like family.

Visitation with Loretta's family will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with the funeral service celebrating her life immediately following at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Following the service, Loretta will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

In place of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Gideons International, PO Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214-0800; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Central Baptist Building Fund, 1120 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.