Mr. Lawrence M. Loveless

COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Lawrence M. Loveless, 94, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at the Columbia Presbyterian Communities’ Chapel at 700 DaVega Drive, Lexington. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Mr. Loveless passed away Friday, December 23, 2016. Born in McCormick, S.C., he was a son of the late James Wilson Loveless and Eula McMahan Loveless. He graduated from McCormick High School where he was in the Beta Club and member of the debating team. As a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII, he served as a petty officer first class and was stationed at a naval air station in Brazil. In 1947, Mr. Loveless moved to Columbia from McCormick with his new bride, Virginia Ball Loveless. Employed first on the Railway Mail Service, later that year he became employed by the Columbia branch of the U.S. Post Office where he worked for more than thirty years. Lawrence was blessed to have a father who taught him carpentry and cabinet making as a child. He put that skill and knowledge to work during 1949 when he started a contracting company. Later in 1953 he became a licensed general contractor involved primarily in contract residential construction. Lawrence and Virginia teamed to build some of the most prominent homes in the Midlands. In his later business life after retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, he associated with other businessmen to work as a contractor, realtor, developer and entrepreneur. He was well respected for having operated his small businesses for over 50 years. Mr. Loveless was also a 50 year member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he was active as a trustee, Sunday School class member and teacher and a member of the United Methodist Men’s Club. Lawrence was a former member of the Optimist Club, Columbia Home Builders Association, Columbia Country Club, and Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. Surviving in addition to his wife of almost 70 years, Virginia, are sons, John Lawrence “Jack” Loveless, Kenneth Ball “Ken” Loveless (Jondy), and Bruce Palmer Loveless (Joanne). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Reid, James, Mary Grace, John Dylan, Derek and Damon; numerous nieces and nephews; four sisters, Lena Inabinette Ball of West Columbia, Minnie Alexander “Billie” of Orangeburg, Nellie Clayton of Florence, Jemmie Ann Campbell of Ward; and one brother; Harold Loveless of Greenwood. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Chase Palmer Loveless; two sisters, Louise Youngblood and Audrey Jenkins; and one brother, James Joseph Loveless. The family extends sincere appreciation to the caregivers from Home Instead, DayBreak and the Presbyterian Home for their kindness and compassion shown to our father and family. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, SC 29206.