Retha Ann Saffels McCloskey, age 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 26, 2023. She is survived by her beloved children: one daughter, Dr. Jenifer Barrett of Vidalia, Georgia; two sons, Matthew McCloskey of Cockeysville, Maryland and Alan McCloskey of Union, Washington, and two stepchildren, Katherine Cxypoliski of Acworth, Georgia and Michael McCloskey of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Nelda Sprayberry of Rossville, Georgia and Fran Brogan of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ethel Saffels of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and her sister, Sarah Stevens of Lubbock, Texas.

As an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, Retha graduated magna cum laude from Chattanooga State with an Associate of Science in Business Marketing.  She was very active in her churches.  She grew up in East Chattanooga Baptist Church where she served as Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teachers, Girls in Action leader and president of the Women’s Missionary Union, as well as a loyal choir member.  At South Seminole Baptist Church in Chattanooga, she served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of WMU, Publicity chair for fundraising, VBS director and a loyal choir member.  At her death, she was a member of Victory Baptist Church at Mount Juliet, Tennessee.  Retha retired from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where she worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville locations.

The family is expected to gather for a memorial service in Chattanooga at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Dysplasia Association (IFOPA), the Diabetes Association or the Kidney Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Retha Ann (Saffels) McCloskey, please visit our floral store.