Loretta Joan Murray Land, 84, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on July 6, 2026. She was born November 3, 1941.

For 24 years, Loretta worked in purchasing and procurement at Exxon's downtown Houston offices, where she was honored by the company for her excellent service and performance before her retirement in 2001. But Loretta's true calling extended far beyond her professional accomplishments. A devout Christian, she served as church secretary for four different churches in Pasadena and Trinity, Texas, as well as one in Franklin, TN, dedicating herself to serving her neighbors, her community, and her Lord with passion and conviction.

Yet Loretta's favorite work—the work that defined her life—was that of being a mother and a wife. She took those roles with profound seriousness, and her loving demeanor, tender care, and steadfast devotion to family were a living testimony to the woman she was. To her sons, Guy and Curtis, she was the rock—always there with wise advice, a warm embrace, a kind word, or a gentle nudge in the right direction. The depth of her love for her family cannot be measured in ordinary words. To the very end, her boys called her almost daily to check in, to let her know they were safe—because their mother needed to know that her sons were protected. Loretta's last words to her son, Guy, "you're my baby" and the squeeze of the hand to Curtis as she was taking her last breaths are reminders of the importance of family and how deep that love goes despite the years. For Charles, she was the doting wife. She never made a decision that didn't include him and refused to if it didn't. They sat side by side in church, at the boys' games, at restaurants, movies, meetings, car rides and at home. Always together. Always in love and always as one.

Loretta is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Newman Charles Land of Franklin; her sons, Guy Michael Land and his wife, Jessica Michelle Land of Nashville and Curtis Alan Land and his wife, Vanessa Land of South Riding, Virginia; and five grandchildren, Cody Michael Land and Katy Alexandra Land of Nashville, and Jordan Olivia Land and Nathan Gray Land of South Riding, Virginia and October Lynn Gilbert of Chapel Hill, TN.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date to be held at their home in Franklin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children (shrinershospitals.org)