John P. Loftin, 64, entered eternal rest on Thursday, April 4, 2013. He was born September 9, 1948 to the late John Pearce and Katherine Jackson Pearce in the Bronx, New York. After the marriage of his mother to David Loftin, John became his much-loved son. John received his education in Louisa and Charlottesville. At an early age, he was baptized and joined County Line Baptist Church in Kents Store. John was united in holy matrimony to Eileen Bates and from that union was born two daughters. In 1988 he met his soul mate, Irene Johnson. He and Irene were married on May 25, 1991 and were blessed with 22 wonderful years of life together, including raising a third daughter, Ianthe. In the course of his life John worked as an orderly at UVA Hospital, an at-home caregiver, a long haul truck driver, a lawn care specialist, a painter and a corrections officer. He retired from the Virginia Department of Corrections after 27 years of service. His greatest joy came from working, taking care of and being with his family. John was a warm, good-hearted man who enjoyed helping others. While John was a hard-working man committed to excellence in his work, he also loved to laugh, tease and spend time with his family. After his retirement, while he remained active by working part-time, he cherished focusing on his role as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, friend and community activist. John was an active member of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History – Louisa Branch. He was also a charter member of the Mark Matthews Chapter of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, Petersburg, VA. He leaves, to cherish loving memories, his wife, Irene M. Johnson-Loftin; his daughters, Lisa Loftin of California and Ianthe Johnson of Spotsylvania; a grand-daughter, Jhauna Earley (Daniel) of New York; two great-grandchildren, Isaiah Earley and Faith Earley of New York; his father, David Loftin (Suffolk); four sisters, Rev. Lila Farmer (Melvin) of Charlottesville, Natalie Grayson (Roger) of Suffolk, Geraldine Peterson of Goldsboro, NC, and Joyce Taylor (David) of Farmville; and four brothers, Tony Porter-Loftin (Michelle) of Chesterfield, Frank Porter-Loftin of Powhatan, Lawrence Porter-Loftin and David Porter-Loftin (Delores) of Richmond. John is also survived by three nephews, Johnny Farmer and Lamont Farmer of Charlottesville and Lyndel Farmer of Harrisonburg and a niece, Kristal Farmer of Charlottesville. He also leaves a good friend, Donnie Brooks, who truly appreciated his "Papa John" and a host of relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmother, Ida Page; his maternal grandmother, "Shamma" Lila Henley; his mother, Katherine L. Loftin, and his daughter, Karla Loftin. Services will consist of viewing from 11 AM to 1 PM followed by the funeral at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 12 at County Line Baptist Church, 4070 County Line Road, Kents Store, VA 23084.