February 12, 2024, 65, Seven Springs —

Loretta Mae Oliver Sturges, 65, quietly passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at her home in the Seven Springs area.

Born in Stigler, Oklahoma, she had lived in Arkansas and California before relocating to North Carolina. She had been a nursing assistant in a nursing home and had been employed with Tyson Foods and Walmart.

Loretta leaves behind her spouse, John Charles Merrell, Jr. of the home; a daughter, Alicia Rene James of Seven Springs; a son, Benjamin Lee Spencer, Jr. of California; a sister, Linda Banfil of California; four brothers, Larry Anderson and Gary Anderson of California, who are twins, and Dale Evenson and Tommy Evenson, Jr., also of California.  She has ten grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel Lee Spencer Dennington; parents, Edward Thomas Evenson and Nancy Alzina Bolt Evenson; and two sisters, Felicity Evenson and Tonya Evenson.

Arrangements are not yet made.