Loretta Ryburn

Loretta Harmon Ryburn, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Loretta was born on March 23, 1940, in West Columbia, SC, as the oldest daughter to Viola and Grady Harmon. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1958 and attended Tennessee Tech University. Loretta met Roger during college and were married on January 30, 1960 at First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, TN.
Loretta was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge and volunteered in the Food Pantry. Throughout her life, she did a lot of volunteer work including Cub Scout Den Mother, teaching Vacation Bible School, Huntsville Ballet Company, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, Dance Arts and most recently at the Oak Ridge Public Library. She enjoyed UT sports and genealogy. She and Roger have traveled extensively during retirement, visiting Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and several countries in Europe.
Loretta is preceded in death by her parents, Viola and Grady Harmon, and her sister Jacqueline.
Loretta is survived by her husband, Roger, of 61 years; her sister Mary Esther; her son Jim (Donna) Ryburn; her daughter Deborah (Chris) Miller; her grandchildren, Laura, Karen (Correy), Anna and Audrey (Amber).
A Visitation for Loretta Ryburn will be held on April 8, 2021 at Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home, 1017 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A service will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Erwin, TN.
Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home is handling arrangements