Nela Lloyd Lovelace, 94, also known as the “Blackberry Man” of Cox Creek Pkwy died peacefully at home in North Carolina on 4/16/2026. He was born and raised in Florence, Alabama, but moved to Louisburg, N.C. in 2022 to live with his daughter Phyllis.
Nela served in the Army from 1952-1954 in special orders and was honorably discharged with the rank of Seargent (T).
In 1959, Nela was a school teacher at Whitten School where he taught grades 1-8 all in the same class room. He taught at Fairview School and went on to be a principal at McGee School in Greenhill, Alabama. He also had a well drilling business and enjoyed helping people get water out of the ground. He made an observation during his well drilling days that the earth was turning rapidly because he would take a mirror and shine down in the well and see the water flowing through the rocks and sand to purify the water. He always said, the only time the water doesn’t move is when the sun is straight up.
He was employed by TVA at the Power Service Shops where he had a long career and retired in 1988. After retirement, he volunteered to help multiple organizations. He served on the board at the Lauderdale Christian Home for Children for several years. He also was an author of fiction writing where he enjoyed creating scenes related to civil war history. He published 4 books and enjoyed signing them when his friends bought them and came to see him. These books were published through Amazon, and he loved telling all of his friends, nurses, doctors and caretakers to “just look it up on Amazon.com”
He was a member of Jacksonburg Church of Christ and a devoted Christian with strong faith. While living in NC, he was able to live stream the services and still see everyone which made him very happy.
He lived an amazing life and was respected by everyone that he knew. He was kind, gentle and enjoyed helping people.
Nela was preceded in death by:
Father- Melvin F. Lovelace
Mother-Lillie Odell Givens Lovelace
First wife, Lorene Olive Lovelace
Twin girls- (stillborn)
Son, Phillip Lloyd Lovelace
Second wife, Genevieve Hindman Fowler Lovelace
Brother, Neal Lovelace
Survived by:
Phyllis Darlene Lovelace- daughter (Cindy)
Linda Fowler Dickson- step daughter (Ricky)
Step grandson- Kyle Dickson (Amy) their daughter Hannah Grace.
Grandson- Phillip Anthony Lovelace (Domonique).
Granddaughter- Amanda Nicole Lovelace.
Great grandchildren, Justice Garrett Hamm, Jaxson Walker Lovelace, Elliot Aleksander Lovelace and Ian Anthony Lovelace.
Great-great-grandchild, -Alia Marie Hamm.
Nieces Vanessa Bowser (Larry) and Jessica Guillen (Erick).
The viewing and service will be held at Greenview Memorial Park and Chapel on Friday 4/24/2026. The viewing will be from 12-2 followed by the service. Nela will be laid to rest at Wilson Cemetery.
Pallbearers- Larry Bowser, Lee McCoy, Mike Jones, Evan Austin, Will McCormack, Lee Butler. Alternate: Ricky Dickson, Kyle Dickson.
