Loretta Grace Kneip Johnson Ranck

Loretta Grace Kneip Johnson Ranck, age 79, of Biloxi, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. She is survived by her husband Ed Ranck of Biloxi; her children Renee (Paul) Johnson of Diamondhead, MS and Brad Johnson of Mobile, AL; her grandchildren, Jessica and James Johnson of Diamondhead; her brother Lynwood Kneip and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta spent most of her Mississippi Gulf Coast years living in Ocean Springs, Vancleave, or Gautier, but was born and raised in Woodsboro, Texas. She had fond memories of growing up in small town Texas surrounded by a large, German family. She was the youngest of four children born to Gustav and Laura Klaevemann Kneip.

In her 20s, Loretta was a single, career-oriented gal whose roommates kept getting married. Instead of settling down, she focused on making money, getting the most out of her work travel, and being the life of the party. (We can back up all these claims with pictures, including one she titled “Dancing at a go-go club in Oklahoma City.”)

Her favorite and most demanding job was as a Federal Auditor at the Navy Regional Finance Center in Great Lakes, IL.

In 1973, she married Bobby Johnson, the cute Navy chief who lived across the street. In 1975, Renee was born, and she fell in love with being a mom. A year later, Bob got orders to Naval Station Pearl Harbor and the family moved to Hawaii. Those beautiful islands made a huge impression on Loretta, and she would return several times in the decades to come. If she loved you, she took you to Hawaii!

But life as a military spouse also means doing everything yourself when your husband is deployed. In 1982, Loretta was 8-months pregnant when she moved the family to South Carolina. She even drove herself to the hospital the night her son, Brad, was born.

Loretta was always a good student who took classes here and there. As the kids got older, she decided it was time to finish what she started. She graduated from Southern Miss in 1991 with her Bachelor's degree, then jumped back into the workforce serving in administration at the Biloxi VA Hospital until retirement.

Whether she was on the job or doing the work of a stay-at-home mom, Loretta stayed busy. She served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was an active member of the local P.E.O. chapter. She cultivated her creative side playing French Horn in the Gulf Coast Wind Ensemble, painting, and was always ready to organize a karaoke night.

She was a fantastic mother and grandmother who loved her family deeply. She cared for Bob through his dying days, then found love again with a fellow widower.

In November 2016, Loretta married Ed Ranck and the two enjoyed nine wonderful years of traveling, playing Bridge with friends, reading historical fiction, and enjoying a cocktail while watching the news.

A visitation will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. The funeral will be held Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pascagoula. Those wishing to visit with the family prior to the funeral service may do so beginning at 10 a.m.

Loretta would tell you the time to send her flowers ended when she left this world. Instead, send a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help a sick child live a long, full life like she did.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Loretta Grace Kneip Johnson Ranck.