On a rainy Saturday morning in April, Iman M. Love went to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Aged 99 years. he passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Iman was preceded in death by his wife Ila and his son David. He is survived by his daughter Georg An, grandson David and wife Jacki along with their 3 children: Ashton, Caden and Chloe.
He was born prematurely almost 100 years ago to Mittie Ethyl Branstetter Love and Lauta Overton Love. Iman lived through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the death of his father when he was aged 12. His mother raised 9 children to adulthood working a tenant farm with the help of those children: Lindsey, Jesse (Punk), Nowannah, Cecil, Froman, Lura, Iman, Elizabeth (Buggs), Belle, and Joe Dan. He and all the kids worked odd jobs to help bring in money. He worked in the CCC camps at Lake Murray sending money home to the family until he was drafted.
Iman was a native Chickasaw Oklahoman, proud to serve as an Army Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre during World War II on the railroad guns on Oahu. He was undergoing jungle training when he earned enough points to go home on leave. While back in Oklahoma the war ended and he married Ila Kiser on 8/13/1945 in Durant, OK. They moved to the OKC area where he worked on the guard force at Tinker Air Force Base. A few years later he was fortunate to get in on the ground floor of the computing section at Tinker where he remained until retirement. Just before the loss of his son David, he came to know the Lord Jesus while attending Dickson Baptist Church under Harvey G. Albright. A few years later he and Ila joined Meadowood Baptist Church and lived in Meadowood for many years. His happiest decision and perhaps greatest impact was to retire early to care for and help raise his grandson David. He was a daddy to the core and deeply loved his daughter and grandson. He had a great sympathy for single parents and their children. While living in Choctaw he became a very active member of the Lions Club. He and Ila attended several conventions and worked faithfully to help others through the Lions Club and very much enjoyed the friendships made with other Lions.
Iman’s generosity, kindness, and his servant’s heart will live on through the memories we cherish, the stories he loved to tell, the words of wisdom he placed in our hearts, but most of all through the example he set for us. He believed God put us here to help and care for each other. A kind, humble man, he affected those fortunate enough to know him, and he was a blessing to his family. As we look forward to seeing him again one day- we smile knowing he is rejoicing in Heaven and his first clear sight after many years was Jesus.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2pm., at Meadowood Baptist Church of Midwest City. Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City.
