Lorette Uletta Huggins-Somersall

Lorette U. Huggins Somersall was born in Lodge Village on the Island of St. Kitts on March 15, 1963, to her parents, James and Dorothy. She lived in England for a few years before returning to St. Kitts. Her family moved to St. Thomas, where she spent most of her school-age years. She had an active childhood and was involved in multiple groups. She was in Girl Scouts and a member of the Sebastian Majorities outside of school. In school, she was part of the 4H cheerleaders and pep squads. She attended Fordham University in New York before returning to St. Thomas and attending the University of the Virgin Islands. She loved music, and sang in her church choir, and was a member of the Eddie and The Movements/Jam Band fan club. Lorette met her husband Tony while working at Tri-Mart in St. Thomas. They continued their relationship after he joined the Army in 1988. Lorette and Tony married on January 27, 1989, and she joined him in Germany a few months later. While there, she worked at the post exchange and commissary before having her first child, Emil II in July of 1990, after which she became a certified home daycare. The family moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 1991, where her second child, Tekeya, was born in August of 1992. She then moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1994. There, she worked at 7-11 and Sears and became a Tupperware host and consultant after suffering a back injury. She was an active and involved parent and she loved her family deeply. She placed both Emil and Tekeya in scouts and was the troop leader for Tekeya’s troop during her time in Girl Scouts. Lorette also was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. While in Oklahoma, she served as team mom for the soccer, T-ball, and basketball teams her children played on, as well as PTA Secretary, treasurer, and president at their schools. She was also active in the Family Readiness Group (FRG) and was nominated for “Volunteer of the Year” (which she won twice) for her Tony’s Battalion. Lorette and her family moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia in 1998. She started working in the Richmond County Public Schools and continued as a Tupperware Consultant. She also continued being a team mom for soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, and step teams. She coached Tekeya on her volleyball team and she also kept her children involved in church as they were confirmed at their church. Later, she and the family moved to Fort Hood, Texas, and she continued to work in education and doing her Tupperware. She remained active in her children’s activities, including soccer, scouts, school choir, and the marching band. She worked on starting a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at their schools and held the positions of band booster club secretary, treasurer, and president. She also remained active in the FRG for her husband’s unit, was the FRG leader, and was nominated for the Troopers Lady Award which she won twice while at Fort Hood. Lorette and the children moved to Apopka, Florida in 2010, and Tony joined them in July 2011, they settled in Apopka and remained there since. Injuries slowed her physically over time and she had to use a wheelchair for several years. She did not let it stop her. Lorette kept busy with Tupperware, and she was supported by her family at statewide home garden shows, farmer’s markets, and several annual festivals throughout Central Florida. She loved her family and friends and kept everyone connected through phone calls and messages. Her loved ones could always expect an actual Christmas card every year. She was always a friendly and supportive voice on the other end of the line. She became ill in the summer of 2023, and spent several months in the hospital and then rehab. She came home in late September of 2023. She lost Emil on October 31, 2023. She visited his grave daily for several months. Her leg was injured in August of 2024, and after being taken to the hospital, several serious medical problems were found. She stayed in the hospital for several months and was able to come home in February of 2025. She fell ill again on March 6th and was taken back to the hospital. She did well initially and responded well but took a turn for the worse on Tuesday. She continued to fight until Saturday going full circle, and passing away on her birthday. She and her prayers kept her with us. The Lord took her to be with her firstborn as she continued to mourn his loss. She is greatly missed, and we are all blessed to have had her in our lives until we meet again. May her soul rest in peace with her son. Lorette was preceded by her son, Emil Anthony Somersall II; mother, Dorothy Brandy; father, James Huggins; brother, Willie Huggins; mother-inlaw, Idilie “Tiny” Gordon-Somersall; brother-in-law, Eugene C. Somersall, and uncle, Leonard Mills. She leaves to cherish her memory… her Loving Husband: Emil A. Somersall; Daughter, Tekeya L. Somersall; Brothers: Irette Huggins, Keithley Huggins, and Elroy Huggins; Aunts: Maria Mills, Amelia Bryan, Mary Bryan, and Rosalyn Jacobs; Uncles: Fernando Brandy, and Austin Brandy; Father-in-law: Eugene Somersall, Sr.; Brother-in-law: Eugene A. Somersall, Jr., Eric Somersall, Seon Somersall, and Edward Somersall; Sisters-in-law: Ester Dixon, Charlene Sweeney, Eugenia Somersall, Elizabeth Somersall, and Simone Somersall-Island; Nieces and Nephews: Kareem Huggins, Raheem Huggins, Naseem Huggins, Kadejah Huggins-Saunders, Christopher Dixon, Jason Dixon, LaVonna “Sunshyne” Taylor, Elysha Smith-Louison, Kemoy Smith, Aisha Somersall, Niesha Somersall, Edward Sello, Eugene Sello, Mpho Sello, Peter Cruse, D’Andre Somersall, D’Sean Somersall, Deanna Somersall, Elissa Somersall, Jeniqua Chiddick, Jerome James-Somersall, Jaliyah Herbert, Jayseon Pratt, Miriam Somersall, Daniel Somersall, and Seanna Somersall; Special Friends: Regina and Tony Purnell, Felecia Brazier, and Claudette Charleswell; and a host of other loving relatives, Friends, and Colleagues too many to mention

Tributes

Lorette Uletta Huggins-Somersall

March 15, 1963 - March 15, 2025