Loretta Bland Oakley

Rocky Mount – Loretta Bland Oakley, 87, passed away on August 25, 2026. She was born on January 5, 1939, in Thomasville, North Carolina, to Charles Christopher Bland and Callie Brady Bland. The youngest of ten children, Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and all nine of her siblings: sisters Kathleen Riddick, Dellavenia Kimmons, Thelma Maxine Burkhart, and Nancy Dover; and brothers Elmer Charles Bland, Daniel Estill Bland, Harold Eugene Bland, Joseph Furman Bland, and Jerry Dean Bland.

Loretta graduated from Thomasville High School in 1957. She married Alton Arris Oakley of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on October 14, 1967. The couple lived in Durham before making their home in Rocky Mount.

Throughout her career, Loretta worked at the Thomasville Times and Commercial Credit in Greenville, South Carolina. After moving to Rocky Mount, she worked for Leggett Myers Tobacco Company and Planters Bank.

Loretta was a woman of many interests and simple joys. She loved to read, particularly thrillers, and John Grisham was among her favorite authors. She enjoyed puzzles and was adept at solving crosswords and cryptoquotes. A devoted college sports fan, she especially enjoyed UNC basketball. She loved playing cards, even when her opponent was simply herself in a game of solitaire. The beach was her happy place, and she treasured the time she spent with family and friends in Nags Head.

Loretta also had a special love for dogs. She took great joy in their companionship and cherished the affection, loyalty, and happiness they brought into her life. Her love for dogs was another reflection of her warm and caring nature, and the memories of the beloved dogs she shared her life with will remain dear to her family.

Above all else, Loretta loved her family. She is survived by her husband of nearly sixty years, Alton, her son Christopher Arris Oakley and his wife, Lacey L. Gray, of Winterville, North Carolina; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Nevins Hall, of Beaumont, Texas; granddaughter Callie Hall Orr and her husband, Jonathan Orr, of Rhode Island; grandson Jake Tanner Oakley Hall of Beaumont, Texas; and more than two dozen nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald James Hall.

A visitation with family and friends will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff members at the Danny Talbot Cancer Center and UNC Nash Hospice Center for the incredible love, kindness, and support they provided to Loretta and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Loretta’s memory to American Cancer Society, PO Box 11796, Charlotte, NC  28220.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.