Loretta Luquette Andress, 83, of Magnolia, formally of Beaumont, died Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. She was born on May 17, 1931, in Beaumont, to Dora Theresa Price and Aurelian Joseph Luquette.

Loretta’s greatest love was her family. Loretta was married to the love of her life, RB, for sixty-two wonderful years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Loretta was always active in the Catholic Church—first at St Pius X Catholic Church in Beaumont, and then at Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Lumberton. She attended St. Anthony Catholic School in Beaumont, where she was an avid drum major. Even at age eighty, she could still twirl that baton!  With Loretta, you were kin to her or you knew her, and if you didn’t fall into either category, you soon would know her because that was her way. She never met a stranger and opened her door to all. Loretta would always greet you with a big hug and a big kiss and you knew you were well loved.  She had a love of cooking with and for her family and there were a few disagreements between her sisters as to what ingredients went into making the “best” gumbo. Loretta traveled the world with her husband and friends and enjoyed every minute—except for the plane rides. She had a love and flair for fashion and was always impeccably dressed. Loretta will surely be missed by those she has left behind, but we find solace in knowing that she is in the arms of Jesus and her loving family.

Loretta is survived by her sons, Riley Bryan Andress and his wife, Jewel, of Kyle; Allen Andress and his wife, Gloria, of Magnolia; and Ross Andress and his wife, Emma, of Houston; grandchildren, Amanda, Audrey, Ross Allen, Ryan, Austin, Alyssa, and Doug Gypins; and great-grandchildren, Ewin and Aiden.  

Loretta was preceded in death by her loving husband, RB “Red” Andress, in 2010; and beautiful daughter, Gail Teresa Matthews, in 1998.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Solana at Vintage Park in Houston. Chuck Lalonde and his wonderful staff made Loretta’s final year’s happy ones.

A Christian Vigil for Mrs. Andress will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of her family and friends to follow, Friday, March 6, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South L.H.S. Drive, Lumberton, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Infant Jesus Catholic Church, P.O. Box 8180, Lumberton, Texas 77657 or to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850 Forsythe, Beaumont, Texas 77701.