Loretta “The Balloon Lady” Grant

Loretta “The Balloon Lady” Grant, age 67, of Carbondale, formerly of Dongola, passed away on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

She was born on Feb. 25, 1958 to Everett and Cynthia (Provo) Roe in Anna, Ill.

Loretta was happily divorced and enjoyed life. Loretta left school in 1974, but later earned her GED. 

She was Bapticostal (Pentecostal and Baptist), who knew this existed. 

Loretta’s claim to fame was that her particular set of skills that only a few have, that of balloon twisting, a craft she learned from her nephew, Brian Roe, and things were never the same again. In this craft, she brought much joy to many children of the years and ultimately became known as “The Balloon Lady,” a title of honor and distinction given by the children at the local fairs and other places she took her talent to. 

Loretta was also a Bridal Consultant and held Ceramics, Tupperware, and Mary Kay parties. She loved to go fishing and was an egg packer with her mother. She also had worked as a laborer on the assembly lines and was a seamstress.

Survivors include, her children, Vivian (Jeff) Gentry, Jimmy Grant, and Coletta Grant; grandchildren, Samantha Charles, Sydney Charles, Jimmy Grant, Jr., Novonna Grant, and Montrell Neal; one great-grandchild, Arria Henderson, two brothers, Larry Roe and Perry, Roe; along with many other relatives and friends.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Carl (Corkey) Kestler and Everett “Butch” Roe; along with other relatives.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. with Steve Karraker officiating at Crain Funeral Home in Dongola. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Interment will follow the service at St. John’s Cemetery in Dongola.

A gathering will be held at the Community Center immediately following the gravesite, please bring lots of stories to share.

In lieu of flowers and balloons, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to the family.

Crain Funeral Home in Dongola is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com