Loretta Armstrong was born on October 18, 1942, in Palatka, FL. She was raised in Green Cove Springs, Florida, until she moved to Tampa in 1968 to start a new life with her two daughters. Loretta loved baking and gardening, but her real passion in life was helping people, especially children. In 1991, she founded the first Tampa chapter of Grandmothers United, an organization that brought light to the many grandparents that were left to raise their grandchildren, after crack cocaine and other narcotics of the time, lured their mothers, into a life of drugs. She was known as a surrogate mother to many, and a friend to even more, Loretta never hesitated to extend her help to anyone in need. Her 50-year residence in the same beloved house became a symbol of her steadfast presence and the comfort she provided to neighbors and friends alike. Loretta will be deeply missed, yet her spirit of giving and compassion remains a guiding light for everyone she met. Her life was a testament to her resilience and nurturing spirit. She is preceded in death by her mother; Arvilla Aldridge; daughters, Yolanda and Tracey Kenty; brother-in-law, James Ham, Sr. Lorettas legacy continues through the lives of her family; sister, Sandra Ham, Barbara Aldridge-Martin, Carol Aldridge-Glover (Richard); brother, William Aldridge (Joyce); nieces, Marcia Collier-Fowler, Dana Hodges, Takia Patterson, Helena Epps (David); nephews, James Ham Jr. (Erin), Adrian Aldridge, Jason Ham (Arian), Desmond Jackson, Dorian Aldridge; cousins, Larry Richardson, Beverley Glover (Tony), Curtis Richardson (Nina), Tiffany Hocker, Tawana Tuggles; grandchildren, Bertram McDuffie, Malaysia and Breland Kenty; great-grandchildren, Braelyn Dior Kenty, Brielle Dream Kenty, Kemare Dinkins, Dejuan McDuffie, AhLayzha Tracey McDuffie; godchildren, Latrece Welch, Mary Mattox, Ryan Williams and Patrick Blocker; surrogate daughters, Armegene Moore and Bernice Hall.