Loretta Young Braxton

Loretta Young Braxton is a native Washingtonian. She was the first of seven children born to Virginia Moss and George Alfred Young. She began her education at Lovejoy Elementary and continued her primary studies until she graduated from the prestigious Dunbar High School. Immediately after graduation, Loretta obtained employment with the Federal Government in Washington, DC., serving at the Navy Annex, the Air Force and the Pentagon. On June 29, 1963, Loretta married Curtis Calvin Braxton. There were no children from this union, which later ended in divorce. In the early seventies, she was selected from a panel of 25 women to be sent on temporary duty assignment (TDY). This was a common practice in the government at that time. The assignments were usually temporary, and the employees were called detailees. On the day that the new assignment was to begin, Loretta was picked up by limousine at her current location. Initially, she had no idea where the limousine was taking her. Just moments before she arrived, she was informed of her destination. It was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and her new boss was the President of the United States. What was supposed to be a three-year temporary assignment became a 20-year career position of a lifetime. Loretta was so overwhelmed at the prospect of working for the President of the United States, that she went to her Priest to ask his advice on how to proceed. His answer was, “Loretta, if God has a plan for your life, no one can take it from you.” She made this her motto for the rest of her life. Over the course of her career at the White House, Loretta worked for four presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. She was there during the infamous Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Nixon, and during the secret talks between Henry Kissinger and General Vernon Walters, which led to the end of the Vietnam War. She was also there when John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. She did not hesitate to admit that she has a favorite among the presidents, and it was Jimmy Carter. It is a historical experience to look through her scrapbooks filled with letters and personal photos of her with each of the presidents, as well as other well-known political representatives such as Henry Kissinger, General Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Madeline Albright, Nelson Rockefeller and Robert Gates. Despite her phenomenal career, Loretta’s greatest dream was to own a summer home in the mountains. She achieved this dream in 1970 when she purchased property and built a chalet in the Shenandoah mountains, 2700 ft. above sea level. Climbing up the mountain was scary for many visitors, but it was beautiful and breathtaking at the top. Berries covered the mountain and each morning she would decide which ones she wanted to pick for the pies, muffins and cobblers that she baked. For 30 years, she spent the months of April through August in the mountains enjoying what she perceived as a special gift from God. During her career, Loretta traveled extensively. She visited 21 Western European countries, three Middle East countries and two African countries. She loved church and, in her teens, was baptized at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Washington, DC. In later years, she served as a member of the Ladies Sodality. She was the matriarch of the family and survived by her three sisters, Barbara Lewis, Mildred Everett and Phyllis Desbordes. She also leaves to mourn her nephews, The Reverend Dr. Danny Everett (Angelique), Dr. Dwayne Everett (Nina), Damian Desbordes, Sr. (Acquannetta), Kelvin Young, Jr., Stephen Young, Jr., Arnold Young and Donald Young; six nieces, Dana West (Bobby), Lanita Moore, Elsie Lewis, Russelle Young, Stephanie Young, Leah Adepetu (Ademola) and Ebony Young. She leaves an endless list of great nieces, great nephews and godchildren that she loved dearly, and they all showed love for her. We thank God for the time that we had with you. Rest in peace.

Tributes

Loretta Young Braxton

April 24, 1932 - February 24, 2026