Loretta Brennan

Loretta Jones Brennan, 64, passed away on March 31, 2022, in Pearcy, AR, at her favorite place on Earth, Grayrock Farm. She and her husband, Terry Brennan, ran the horse farm, training, boarding and breeding thoroughbreds. “Retta” discovered a love of horses at an early age, learning to ride on the farm her Grandma and Grandpa Jones, Arthur and Minnie, owned in Fouke, AR. She developed a passion for farm life, caring for the chickens, cows and hogs, and tending the extensive vegetable garden. Her grandmother would have been proud of the garden she and Terry built at Grayrock Farm, as well as their loving care of the horses, dogs and chickens. Retta was equally close to her maternal grandparents, Lila and Marion Upton, helping them run their grocery store in Texarkana, AR. Retta was born June 12, 1957, to TP and Lucille Jones in Texarkana, AR, and was the youngest of three daughters. She is preceded in death by her sister Genevieve “Jeannie” Finley and is survived by her sister Patsy Haynes and brothers in law Danny Haynes and Dick Finley and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. The sisters grew up helping their parents at the family-owned Brady Mountain Resort on Lake Ouachita. Retta could be found water skiing, slaloming and even skiing on other people’s shoulders, except when she was in trouble and her parents made her host sightseeing trips on the Lady Ouachita tour boat. Known by friends as Lolo, she was an incredibly welcoming, gracious and generous person, always willing to lend a helping hand, share a laugh, give a hug or prepare a meal. Although her culinary skills were extensive, she is best remembered for her famous fried chicken. You knew you were loved when Lolo prepared her fried chicken for you. She also never held back a compliment, often phrasing them in a self-deprecating way to get others to help her out. As she would say to Patsy, “You’re so much better at making gravy than I am. Would you please do it?” She was over the moon when she became a grandmother, and though she had planned on being called Lolo, her first grandchild Annabel couldn’t pronounce her L’s, and a new nickname was born. “Yo-yo’s” children and grandchildren were the joy of her life: Zac and Abigail Jumper and children Annabel, Lila Fay and Holt of Knoxville, TN; Whit and Molly Jumper and children Lily, Lucille, Genevieve and Pierce of Austin, TX; Jena Petro and Karie Hobby and daughter Ally of Hot Springs; Kara Petro of Hot Springs; Blair Brennan and daughter Nola of Lawrence, KS; Lauren and Chris Mayo of Hot Springs; and Marci and Bryan Lowery and children Caddo (husband Dakota Wright) and Abe of Hot Springs. The first to hit the dance floor, Yo-yo is surely orchestrating a Prince concert in heaven. In honor of her lifelong love of the singer, wearing purple is encouraged at the services. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. at Piney Grove United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 7, followed by a celebration of life at 12 p.m. at Piney Grove United Methodist Church. She will be laid to rest after the services at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Piney Grove UMC.

Loretta Brennan

June 12, 1957 - March 31, 2022