Loretta M. Ducote

Loretta Mae Ducote, devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, entered her eternal home in the presence of her Lord on March 20, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. Born on August 17, 1939, in Tampa, Florida, Loretta lived a life marked by deep love for her family and an unwavering trust in God.

Loretta was the eldest daughter of Edward Devan and Mary Devan, and sister to John Devan, Edward Devan (deceased), and Mary Jane Cherry.

She was married for 43 years to her beloved husband, Kern Ducote Sr. (deceased), with whom she raised four children: Ronald Ducote, Edward Ducote, Kern Ducote Jr. (deceased), and Joy Akehurst. She was mother‑in‑law to Lisa Ducote (Ronald), Stephanie R. Ducote (Edward), Stephanie A. Ducote (Kern), and the late Brian Akehurst (Joy).

Loretta was a cherished grandmother to Amy Greb, Melissa Copenhaver, Emily Batterton, Dallas Ducote, Claire Ducote, Laura Morrison, Grace Roush, Kern Ducote III, Jason Ducote, Christiana Correlli, Brian Akehurst, and Grahme Akehurst.

She was great‑grandmother to Eli, Ivy, Luca, Charlotte, Koah, Kernie, Raffaello, John, and Korbin, each one bringing her immense joy.

A graduate of Eastern High School, Loretta dedicated her life to raising her children and supporting her husband; while nurturing her love for Scripture through weekly Bible study and volunteering in the Pro‑Life movement, a cause deeply rooted in her convictions.

Loretta, gifted with creativity and a generous heart, volunteeredregularly for Sparrow House (home for unwed mothers), Franklin Woods Retirement Community and Eastern Family Resource Center. She also enjoyed gardening and picking fruits when in season. She lovingly crafted handmade knitted blankets—each one a tangible expression of her warmth and care. She was also an accomplished cake decorator, creating wedding cakes for her children and other family members. Her home was a gathering place for summer cookouts, crab feasts, fish fries, and holiday meals, where she delighted in feeding others and celebrating togetherness. More than anything, she cherished time spent with her family, whom she loved deeply and prayed for faithfully.

Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the faith she modeled, and the love she wove—both literally and figuratively—throughout her years.

A Celebration of Life service will occur on Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11:30 a.m. at Central Christian Church, 7411 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237 (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) followed by a graveside service at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens, 10201 Bird River Rd, Middle River, MD 21220 and dinner at Buon Appetito Restaurant,405 Mace Ave, Essex MD 21221, 2pm.

Florist arrangements provided by La’brands Florist, 443-505-3590

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teen Challenge, Virginia, https://www.atcva.org/