LORETTA MEADOWS FAUSTINO

Mrs. Loretta Meadows Faustino, age 79, of Largo, Florida, formerly of Strunk, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Largo Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 14, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Pine Knot Funeral Home with Bro. Lance Lay and Bro. Jeff Brown officiating. Burial will take place at the Jellico Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday evening after 6:00 at the funeral home.

On July 28, 1932, Loretta was born, the daughter of the late Everett and Lilly (Lay) Meadows in Whitley County, Kentucky. Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers Joe and Curtis Meadows and two sisters Nola Meadows Cottrell and infant Faye Meadows.

Surviving family include her husband Anthony (Tony) Faustino of Largo, Florida, whom she married in Jonesboro, Georgia, on June 29, 1980. A brother Floyd (wife Betty) Meadows of Strunk, four sisters Lucille Stephens, Strunk, Beverly (husband Merrill) Wilson, Stearns, Doris Gaertner, Strunk, and Nancy Meadows of Strunk also survive. She has three special nephews; George, Garrett and Curtis, a great-nephew George, Jr. and other nieces and nephews who were like her own children.

Loretta's first job was in a funeral home in Oneida then she went to work at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge. At the age of 20, she moved to Florida and has resided there ever since. She loved to travel and made a career in show business as a dancer. She played the guitar and was a singer and did some work with Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Durante. She belonged to the American Guild of Artists and had many friends in show business and The Grand Ole Opry including Frankie Laine, and Jayne and Autrey Meadows.

Loretta belonged to the American Legion and was a charter member of the Maderia VFW. She opened a restaurant on the beach called "My Brother's Place". She would close the restaurant every Thanksgiving Day in order to serve people who didn't have anywhere to go. She loved to cook and was one of the most kind and helpful people you would ever meet. She was involved in her community taking part in many civic activities and at one time ran for commissioner in her township.

Having lead an exciting and colorful life, her biggest thrill was coming home to Kentucky. She was proud to be a Kentucky Colonel. When in McCreary County, she enjoyed playing horseshoe, riding four-wheelers and going to Cumberland Falls. She had a special love for animals especially her little dog "Kippy".