A Private Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Loretta Colleton Douglas of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Friday, July 17, 2020 will be held Saturday, August 1st, 1:30 p.m. at Aikens Funeral Home, 2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bro. Antione Holloway, officiating. The interment will be held in Hillsboro Memorial Cemetery.

Loretta Colleton Douglas was born May 7, 1942 to Daniel and Cora Colleton in Charleston, South Carolina. The family relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1951. She was raised in Tampa, Florida with her sister, Betty and brothers, Daniel and George. Loretta was baptized as a member of the Church of Christ in her childhood and was a dedicated member until her passing. She was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County and was a graduate of Middleton Senior High School, class of 1960. Mrs. Douglas was a High Honor Roll student with a desire to attend college and chose an occupation that would be beneficial to both herself and others. In 1960, she entered the prestigious Grady Memorial School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia. She again graduated with High Honors in 1964. Loretta returned to Tampa to begin her illustrious 45 year nursing career. She began her career at Tampa General Hospital, where she was amongst the few black nurses hired at the time. Mrs. Douglas worked for Tampa General for ten years and would become the first black Supervisor of Nursing in the hospital history. After leaving Tampa General Hospital she served as the Administrator for Polycare Incorporated of Lakeland, Florida. Due to travel Loretta left this position and began working at Brandon Hospital where she served many positions of management for several years. She then left Brandon Hospital to serve as Head of Education and Infection at South Florida Baptist Hospital. After a brief stint at Doctors Hospital she ended her career in 2008 as the Nighttime Charge Nurse of the ER at Brandon Hospital.

Loretta met and married, John L. Douglas known as the 'insurance man', they remained married until her death. This marriage produced one son, John C. Douglas (Carl). Loretta was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Colleton and mother, Cora Colleton.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John L. Douglas; son, John C. Douglas (Ashanti); three grandchildren, Brandon Douglas, Dyson Douglas and Zail Douglas; one sister, Betty Thompson (James) of Greenville, South Carolina; two brothers, Daniel Colleton of St. Petersburg, Florida and George Colleton of Tampa, Florida; nieces, Katrina, Darla, Darlene and Melanie Colleton; nephews, Daryl and Gregory Thompson and Daniel Colleton III; special thank you to the EconoPass Healthcare Agency providers, Tonya, Ana, Brooke, Justine and Samantha they were wonderful caretakers.

The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, July 31st from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The family will receive friends during the visitation.

The service will be lived streamed at www.aikensfuneralhome.com. We are following the CDC guidelines.

Visitation
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, July 31, 2020
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Saturday, August 1, 2020
01:30 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610