Lauretta Showah Humphrey gently passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023, with her daughter by her side. A survivor from the day she was born in the ambulance on the way to Kings Daughters Hospital in Greenville, MS on September 21st, 1941, Lauretta was the middle daughter born to Sam Showah and Mildred Ferris Showah. She grew up in Hollandale, MS with her sisters, Jo Anne and Marie. The three sisters were best friends all their lives, talking on the phone nearly every day and visiting each other whenever possible.
Lauretta and her husband, William L. Humphrey, moved to Jackson, MS, where she lovingly raised two children, Sam and Sonia. Lauretta’s gentle ways and loving gestures brightened their childhood, from the daily notes of love she would leave in lunch bags to the hand-made doll clothes she would make for her daughter. She lovingly supported her children through every scraped knee and long illness and proudly attended their football, baseball, and soccer games, karate tournaments, and concert and dance recitals. After her marriage to William ended, Lauretta was together with her love, Conner Brown, for over 30 years. He always made her Valentine’s Day card himself, and they supported one another through declining health. For 17 years, Lauretta worked at Walmart, where she was able to share her fun and warm personality with coworkers and customers. Even after she was unable to work, Lauretta diligently cared for her home and was resilient through many surgeries and cancers without losing her resolve. A devout Catholic, she had trust in God that He would care for her. And, she had her own strength that carried her throughout her life in those difficult times.
Lauretta is preceded in death by her parents Sam Showah and Mildred Ferris Showah, her sister Jo Anne Showah Boykin, and companion Conner Brown. She is survived by her children, Sonia Humphrey Voldt (Jack) and Sam Showah Humphrey (Angela) sister Marie Showah Baugh (Irvin), grandchildren Samara and Sky, and Jessica, many great-grandchildren, beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She will be remembered for her laugh and mischievous sense of humor, for the immense love and affection she showed us, and the way she made others feel special and cherished.
We have been blessed to have her in our lives, and to be able to carry a piece of her heart in our own forever.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hollandale, MS, with burial to follow at Hollandale Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Boone Funeral Home in Leland.