Loretta Melina Satterfield, known also as Auntie Mel, 96 years old, of Fresno, California, passed away on October 14, 2024.  Loretta passed away peacefully at home with family by her side.

Born Melina Sheppard, on February 28, 1928, to Mrs. Beatrice (nee Paul) Sheppard, in Kerman, California.

Loretta graduated from Technicalities (Fresno Technical High School) in 1946.  After graduating high school, Loretta moved to San Francisco where she worked as a bank teller for two years.  A severe case of pneumonia brought Loretta back to the central valley to live among her family.

After getting married, Loretta's time was spent caring for her three sons and her extended family and working to provide for her children.    Loretta had many jobs; she ran her own restaurant and assisted her then husband, Carl F. Satterfield, Sr., in his automotive businesses.

Later in life Loretta returned to school, graduating from Fresno City College in 1974 with an Associate's degree in social sciences.   Shortly thereafter, Loretta accepted a job with the County of Fresno as a Juvenile Probation Officer.  Loretta was very passionate about helping and guiding young girls to a better life.

As her three sons were growing up, Loretta made another career change accepting a job as a Forewoman at a fruit packing company so she could be at home when they returned from school.  Loretta continued working at the packing house until she was 70 years old.

After leaving the packing house, Loretta used her retirement time being a caregiver for some of her extended family members and also some of her most cherished friends.   Loretta was the niece of Paul Paul, and she was a dedicated family member to all.

Loretta was predeceased in life by her son Jeffrey Satterfield, her brother Harold Jaroyan, and sister Henrietta McCallum.   Loretta is survived by her two sons and their wives, Kip and Lynda Satterfield, and Fred and Giannina Satterfield, and by her grandchildren Christopher and Georgia, and great grandchildren Connor and April.

Loretta is also survived by nieces and nephews; Ty and Carol Jaroyan, Sylvia Melkonian, Scott and Rene McCallum, and Jim and Missy McCallum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the SPCA or St. Jude's Research Hospital, which are two organizations Loretta felt very strongly about and donated to on a regular basis.