Maynard Gale “Speck” Lovelace, 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, June 27, 2016, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mr. Lovelace was a retired payroll supervisor from North American Rayon Corporation after 37 years of service. He loved to play golf, sing gospel hymns, and spend time with his grandchildren. He was a long-time member of Beck Mountain Baptist Church where he was the Men’s Class Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir and served as a Trustee and Choir Leader. He previously served as a board member for Happy Valley Credit Union.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Valarie Suzette Lovelace; his parents, Harold and Pauline Lovelace; and a sister, Charlene Harmon Houstma.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years and his principal caregiver, Emily Lovelace; his son, Wesley Lovelace and wife Tracy of Southside, Ala.; his daughter, Cindy Cox and husband Sid of Elizabethton; his grandchildren, Chelsie Cox, Courtney Cox Winters and husband Martin of Elizabethton, Austin Lovelace and Hayley Lovelace of Southside, Ala.; brothers, Charles Lovelace, Terry Lovelace and Randy Lovelace; sisters, Doris Colbaugh, Wilma Colbaugh and Paula Berry; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful, four-legged companion Marlie “Poo Dog.”
The family will receive friends during a graveside remembrance service to be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton with Pastor Ronnie Campbell officiating. A procession to the graveside services will begin at 3:15 p.m. from Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, Elizabethton. Friends may also call or visit at other times at the home in Elizabethton. Active pallbearers will be Wesley Lovelace, Sid Cox, Austin Lovelace, John Pierce, Eddie Sams, Martin Winters, Jeff Harmon and Jordan Lambert. Honorary pallbearers will be the congregation of Beck Mountain Baptist Church, the staff of Adult Day Services of Johnson City, Dennis Cox, Tim Cox, Geddie Monroe, Mike Taylor, Garry Edwards and Dr. Steven Kimbrough. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Eddie and Janie Sams, Terry Lovelace, Chelsie Cox and Courtney and Martin Winters. The family would also like to thank the ICU doctors, nurses and staff of Johnson City Medical Center for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you to consider a donation to the Adult Day Services Activity Fund, c/o Pam Gardner, located at 603 Bert Street, #3, Johnson City, TN 37601 or Alzheimers of Northeast Tennessee, c/o Tracey Kendell Wilson, located at 3212 Hanover Road, #5, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Lovelace family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.