Donald “Pop” Loftis, age 81, of Celo, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 11th, 2024 at CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville. A native of McDowell County, he was raised in the Rock Creek Community of South Toe. He was a son of the late Walter and Myrtle Wilson Loftis. He was also preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Cora Laine “Lainey Lou” Murdock; infant twins and an infant brother, Gregory Van Loftis; brothers: Archie Loftis and his wife, Thelma, Jack Loftis and Sam Loftis; a sister, Lula Mae Robinson and her husband, Edd; brothers-in-law: Bill Crowder, Cecil Huskins and Herschel Harris; and sisters-in-law, Faye Young and Willie Dale Hughes.
Donald had numerous passions in life: old cars, woodworking, being outdoors and cutting wood, but nothing drove him harder than the immense love he had for his family. He would give up anything he had for them, and made sure everyone in his family had a home. He was a member of Blue Rock Baptist Church and loved his church, but he loved his family more than anything because they were his life. He was lovingly known as “Pop 911” because he was always there for his family, neighbors and friends. He always quoted and lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Donald had a huge impact on the lives of those who loved and cherished him, and his larger-than-life personality, infectious smile and loving heart will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Lois “WoWo” Loftis; children: Penny Creasman (Tim), Donna Styles (Ricky), Becky Young (Stan) and Matthew Loftis (Nikki); grandchildren: Brittany Pitman (Cody), Chad Styles (Kateah), Celeste Styles (Tomas), Coleman Ray, Brinkley Ray (Dustin), Cherith Murdock (Levi), Chaleigh Loftis, Caydeigh Henderson (Chris) and Camille Loftis; great-grandchildren: Brayden, Maci, Payton, Lukus, Lilly, Kayden and Cowen; sister, Lillie Crowder; sisters-in-law: Sue Loftis, Violet Harris and Wilma Barksdale (Ervin); and brother-in-law, Ken Ray. Numerous extended family also survive.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th at Blue Rock Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. with Rev. Kenneth Forbes officiating. Following the service, the family will go in procession to the Cornelius Ray Cemetery in his 1950 Chevrolet truck. As a tribute to Donald, if you own a classic vehicle, the family asks that you please participate in driving it while in attendance.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
