Jimmy L. Lovelace, 87 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 28th, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents James and Exa Lovelace, brothers Raymond and Donnie Lovelace, sisters Peggy Killen Jones, Sara Lovelace, Virginia West and Elaine Cox.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Lou Ann Carter Lovelace, his three children Dawn Ray (Barry), Jay Todd Lovelace (Christi), Robin Brewer (Lee), his six grandchildren Amy Beth Ray Kelley (Gabe), Chalie Ray Gonzalez (Paul), Megan Lovelace Dye (Ches), Carter Brewer (Sara Catherine), Wil Lovelace, Callie Rose Brewer, and the legacy of his 10 great grandchildren, his brother Bobby Lovelace, and many nieces and nephews.
He was born in 1937 in the Cloverdale community, where he worked on a cotton farm. His goal was to leave farm life behind and pursue a career in music. He achieved his aspirations with his brother, cousins and close friends, in the pursuit of their musical career. They formed and developed the show band – The Five Jets. The Five Jets entertained and performed all over the country, living out the dreams they started chasing as small-town boys.
While out on the road living his lifelong dream, he met a beautiful Mississippi belle, Lou Ann Carter. From that moment, the two began their life journey of love in raising a family. After being on the road with three small kids, they decided to settle down and give their family a home. They moved back to Florence, AL, where he worked and then retired from Martin Supply after a long career. His time at Martin Supply fostered his relationships with many friends and his involvement in the community that included coaching little league baseball at Cloverdale and coaching the Cowboys Youth Football at Underwood.
After retirement you could always find Jimmy with his buddies on the golf course or at one of his grandkids’ football, basketball, softball, baseball, or cheer events. He spent a great deal of time supporting his grandkids in all their endeavors, never missing an event, recital or graduation.
Jimmy’s musical career highlights include performing locally at multiple W.C. Handy Festival events, being inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and performing at the recognition of Kenneth Lovelace at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Robert Mann, Chad Irons and the staff at North Alabama Medical Center for taking care of our “Peepaw”. He will be forever missed, and his legacy will last through generations.
In lieu of flowers the family would be honored for you to make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Visitation will be Wednesday July 31, 10:00 a.m. to Noon. A memorial service will follow in the Greenview Chapel at Noon led by Barry Ray and Lee Brewer. Entombment at Greenview mausoleum to follow.
In honor of his life, Pallbearers will be his grandsons Carter Brewer, Wil Lovelace, Gabe Kelley, Paul Gonzalez, Ches Dye and his nephew, Wade West. Honorary Pallbearers will be his additional nephews.
