Loretta Wood, age 70 of Hilltop, passed away September 11, 2013 in Bakersfield, California. She was born September 6, 1943 to Thelma and Buford Pearson of Jefferson City, Missouri. Loretta never met a stranger in her life. If you knew her your life was rich. She was one of a kind. She had a very dear friend whom she called gator and gator and, in return, called her toad. She loved her dearly always looked forward to her texts and visits. The highlight of her days was the text messages from her son, daughter and grandchildren were received. She would light up with this beautiful glow all over her face and you knew she had gotten a text from one of them if not all of them. Her family would text her every night just to say they loved her and good night. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Buford Pearson; her sister, Pat Bezanson; her niece, Kristina Lynn Brown; two nephews, Cabel Bezanson, and Nicholas Austin Goode. She is survived by her son Jackie and his wife Tambra Wood; 3 grandchildren, Joey, Halie and Jordan Wood all of Hilltop; four daughters Loretta, Mari, Sally, Pam all of Ridgecrest; brother-in-law Chuck Bezanson of Ridgecrest; two brothers Jerry and his wife Bea Brown and David Karr of Bakersfield; sister Phyllis and her husband Ronald Freisinger of Bakersfield. She will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all her adopted children and grandchildren. So many were loved by her all the children and grandchildren knew that they were loved. Everyone knew that when Nana La said something it was time to listen. She will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew her. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Arvin Funeral Home will be held at South Kern District Cemetery on Tuesday September 17 at 10:00 AM officiated by Pastors Robert and Linda Umholtz of the Jesus Christ Alive Church of Bakersfield.