Earl Lovelace

Earl Lovelace, 96, passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at Indian Path Hospital, Kingsport, Tennessee after a short illness. He was born in St. Helens, Kentucky, March 29, 1918, to the late Benjamin Lovelace and Zilla Cole Lovelace. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of sixty years, Clara Mullins Lovelace; seven brothers: Wayne, Pryse, William, Parker, Walter, Sam and Cole Lovelace; and two sisters, Mattie Hogan and Ora Ragsdale. Survivors are one son, William Earl Lovelace and wife Barbara of Kingsport, Tennessee; one daughter, Carolyn LaRue and husband David of Taylors, South Carolina; four grandchildren: Aimee Romosca and husband Kevin of Greer, South Carolina, Marie Rasmussen and husband Chad of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Mary Elizabeth LaRue of Taylors, South Carolina, and Benjamin LaRue and wife Brittany of Greenville, South Carolina; four great grandchildren: Abby and William Romosca of Greer, South Carolina, Cole and Conner Rasmussen of Fort Mill, South Carolina. Pa was a member of Vermont Methodist Church. An avid gardener, Pa loved working in his yard and garden. He loved his family dearly, and was always ready to help neighbors and friends when needed. He retired from Eastman after thirty-nine years, previously working at Kingsport Press and Holston Army Ammunition Plant. He enjoyed thirty-four years of retirement, taking many trips with his wife. He was a fan of Kentucky basketball and especially loved watching his son play high school and college ball. He was proud to be a member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. We will all miss Pa greatly. The family is appreciative to the staff at Baysmont, and Steadman Hill for the kindness and care shown to Pa during his years with you. He remarked frequently about his good care. He was treated with dignity and kindness in his last days at Indian Path Hospital as well. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014 in the Chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home with the Reverend Homer Roller and Dr. Spurgeon McCartt officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Garden of the Good Shepherd of East Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, one might consider a donation to The International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (IFOP), P.O. Box 196217, Winter Springs Florida 32719-6217, www.ifopa.org., or to Vermont United Methodist Church, c/o The Kitchen Fund, 1817 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660. Online condolences may be sent to the family www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family of Mr. Lovelace.