Lovelace McNelley

"Love" Lovelace Stewart McNelley

84, joined her husband in heaven, before sunset, on the early evening of April 11, 2017. Her husband of 62 years, Donald McNelley, passed away just two months before.

Her faith in God sustained her throughout life. She was a "cradle to grave" Episcopalian and any church she attended was lucky to have such a devoted, passionate, and energetic parishioner. She served on the Vestry, taught Sunday school, and volunteered her time to the Altar Guild.

Love was born and raised in Greenville, Alabama. She attended Greenville High School where she earned her place in the Honor Society. She also served as a Majorette in the high school marching band. After graduation, she attended the University of Mary Washington in Virginia for one year, and then transferred to Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama where she received her degree in English.

Her first teaching position was at Cloverdale Junior High School in Montgomery. She taught English, French and Speech. All her students were very special to her, including Helen Keller's nephew. Real Estate was her second calling after her children had grown. She also founded a breast cancer support group and took devotion services to assisted living communities in Palm Desert, California. Her time and talent was given to the "Junior Women's Club" a philanthropic organization in Pacific Palisades, California and to "St. Anne's", an organization that provided loving homes for pregnant teenagers.

Love's husband served in the Air Force followed by work as a private military contractor with System Development Corporation. She loved adventure and that included setting up homes in Alabama, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Mexico and California. She showed strength, love and patience raising her three children while her husband attended law school at night.

Travelling was one of her greatest joys. She and her husband explored Hawaii, Turkey and the Holy Lands in the Middle East. They also loved the National Parks. With three kids in tow, they discovered many of the parks, and they especially loved Kings Canyon in Northern California. She loved the beach and logged many miles walking along the seashore. Reading, gardening , dressing up as "Madame Know-It-All" the fortune teller on Halloween and spinning many stories for her children and grandchildren were her passions.

She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, Southern charm, love of entertaining, sense of humor, giving heart, wisdom and love of family.

Love is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents, Charles and Evelyn; and by her sister, Dorothy Crutcher. She is survived by her three children, Caroline (Kay Bruce), Anne (Gordon) and Don (Lisa). She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Bryan(Ashley), James(Melissa), Spencer(Lauren),Vanessa(Jeff), Claire, Ali, Cass, and Zachary; a great-granddaughter, Parker; and a great-granddaughter due this August.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Indiana, 50 E. 91st St. #100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 317-575-9620 or to their website, www.alz.org/donate.