Loretta Mae Lybarger, 89, of Perryville, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, in the hospice wing at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, with her family by her side after years of battling dementia.
She was born December 7, 1935, in St. Louis, to Irless Maloy and Beatrice Pearl (Ward) Sandlin.
Loretta married Thomas Lybarger, a wonderful Christian man, on October 18, 1983, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Crosstown.
She was the most compassionate person you would ever meet. Loretta accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and spent her life serving the Lord. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church at Crosstown, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and helper for many years. She served wherever she could be helpful. She was the church pianist for over 50 years.
In 2010, at the age of 74, Loretta led the start of the Operation Christmas Child Ministry, which the church recently celebrated its 15th year as a drop-off center for Perry County. Loretta retired from Perry County Nursing Home in July 2002 after 22 years working as a cook. Following that, she continued to volunteer there for several more years. She loved to cook and bake and was exceptional at it. She loved visiting and celebrating with her family and friends.
Survivors include daughter Joy Schaupert; son Kevin (Karen) Clifton; two stepsons, Dennis (Donna) Lybarger and Douglas (Cory) Lybarger; stepdaughter Cynthia (Bill) Dorrough; four grandchildren: Holly Clifton, Shane (Tammy) Schaupert, Kim (Ron) Allen, and Crystal (Tim) Patrick; five great-grandchildren: Tyler Schaupert, Sierra Schaupert, Cain (Melissa) Schaupert, Zach (Marinah) Schaupert, and Skylar (Wyatt) Owings; six step-grandchildren: Andrew (Stefani) Lybarger, Kathleen (Chris) Parks, Jacob Lybarger, Nicholas Lybarger, Grace Lybarger, and Parker Lybarger; three step-great-grandchildren: Ruby Lybarger, Violet Lybarger, and Mathiasis Lybarger; and seven great-great-grandchildren: Ian Patrick, Brayden Patrick, Oliver Schaupert, David Schaupert II, Liliana Schaupert, Leilani Schaupert, and Lily Schaupert.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, David Schaupert, and grandchild, Pacer Schaupert.
Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Ford & Young Funeral Home in Perryville. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Crosstown.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Crosstown, with Reverend Steve Francis officiating.
Burial will be at Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery in Crosstown.
Memorial contributions may be given to Bethlehem Baptist Church in Crosstown.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome. com.
Ford & Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
