Gordon Ackley Lovett Sr. lived and loved rural life with his wife of 64 years Marie Therese (Bickett) Lovett. He farmed and raised cattle in Cedartown Georgia and in years past,enjoyed his farm of 500 acres outside Owensboro, Kentucky. With his wife Marie, he raised eight children in the Catholic faith: Fay Dollar, Angela MacDonald (Robert); Gordon Ackley Lovett Jr, Renee Jenkins (Billy), Beth Davis (Jimmy), Gregory Lovett, Leslie Robinson (Mike), Gerrard Lovett(Shelly).
He died as he lived- at home following evening prayer, surrounded by his family, on August 9, 2020. He had 32 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He knew much about many things. He enjoyed raising corn, welding,working with metal and could fix just about anything. He gardened organically, understood horses and how to make good hay. He cut timber each year with his own band saw. He believed that hard work would keep you in shape and that nobody should ever lay down for a suntan. He had a never ending supply of farming techniques that he wanted to experiment with; he was always looking for a better tomato, a sweeter melon, and clover that will turn his pasture a brilliant scarlet early in the early season. His workshop was filled with tools, projects, and ideas he intended to try.
He lived a full life of 87 years. He was born at home in Leander, West Virginia to Mellie Faith Legg and James Sevedge Lovett on March 28, 1933. He is predeceased by his brother, James Lovett, his sister Camelia Joyner, grandchildren Daniel Vann Davis, Samuel Matthew Whaley, and Jenifer Marie Whaley. He is survived by sister Mellie Faith Lowther and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was raised on fresh cow milk, homemade bread, blackberries, and West Virginia practicality. He has churned butter, peeled apples, and shelled beans. He could drive horses and some people crazy. He has fought a war, flown many an airplane, and run a business. He served twenty years in the US Army and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer, Third rank. He enjoyed his Vietnam Pilots reunions and was beloved member of his flight school class. He enjoyed all things aviation and flew fixed wing aircraft and was a helicopter crash inspector. He could play harmonica, a bit on the guitar, and mean game of pinochle, cribbage, and a clever hand of Kings in the Corner. His joy was breakfast made with lard, and good hot coffee.He believed that nothing dries wet gloves better than heat from a woodstove, and that bundled under, with the window slightly cracked was the best way to sleep. He loved animals, a good dog that did not bark, and hugs. He believed in Jesus, the Holy Catholic faith, and that America was the best place in the world to live. He believed in keeping the government honest, keeping politicians out of the military, and defending his gun rights. He believed in telling the truth, keeping his word, and that good discipline made good children. He taught his children these things. He taught them to be ambassadors for their family, to look out for each other and that the best way to pay him back was to pass these things on to his grandchildren.He liked a firm handshake, a smile from a stranger. He once said the sweetest music he ever heard was sleepy grandchild with arms wrapped around his neck saying, “I love you Paw Paw.”
Funeral Mass for Mr. Lovett will be held Tuesday, August 11,2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Polk Memory Gardens with Brown-Wright Post 12 Honor Guard providing Military Honors. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks will be required. Mr. Lovett will lie in at the at the church from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers: Steven Dollar, Aaron Whaley, Ackley Lovett, Drew Jenkins, James Davis, Adam Lovett, Joseph Robinson, and Gabe Lovett.
The family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions made in his memory to St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 100 Evergreen Ln, Cedartown, GA. 30125.
The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Gordon Lovett,Sr.
