Walter Raleigh Lovell Jr, age 90 years, passed away on the morning of August 4, 2023, at his home in Searcy, AR, with his wife at his bedside. Walter lived most recently in Fort Mill, SC, near his family and moved with his wife a year ago to Searcy, AR, where he was under the care of Hospice.
Walter was born in Berkeley, CA, on June 27, 1933, to the Rev. Dr. Walter R. Lovell Sr and Coretha Flack Lovell.
Other than his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his former wife and mother of his children Corneida Davidson Garcia; an infant son Walter R. Lovell III; sisters Ida Green Brangman and Constance Roberts Gates; and his brother Jesse Edward Lovell.
Walter’s surviving family includes his devoted wife of 35 years Jannette Hembrey Lovell; sons Michael D. (Sherry) Lovell and P. Alan (Gloria) Lovell; grandsons Daniel (Amy) Lovell and Delton Kourtney Brooks Lovell; granddaughters Jennifer (Scott) Morris, Jessica Lovell, Deandra (Neal) Washington, Patrice (Dontezz) Foster and Michaelia Camm; great grandchildren Leah J. and Jadon A. Lovell; Andrew P and Vincent J. Morris, Ariana, Aaliyah and Amir Washington.
Walter attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, until he volunteered for the Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict where he drove a deuce and a half troop and equipment carrier. After he was discharged from the Marines, Walter received an Associate Degree in Applied Science from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, IL. While he attended DeVry, he worked as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority (perhaps his favorite job).
After he obtained his degree from DeVry, he worked as a test Technician for Polarad Electronic Corp. in Long Island City, NY, and as a Chemical Operator for Hoffman LaRoche in Nutley, NJ. In 1964, Walter was hired by Western Electric in Kearny, NJ, where he worked in various Engineering departments before being transferred to Teletype Corporation in Little Rock, AR, where he finished his employment with a promotion to Circuit Card Assembly Engineer.
Walter served on the Selective Service Board (151) in Newark, NJ, eventually becoming the Chairman (1966-1974). He was Vice President, then President of the Nutley, NJ, Jaycees. He served as Chairman of Boy Scout Troup 152 from 1962-1968. He served as Chairman of the Essex County Mental Health Board, Belleview, NJ, from 1972-1974, and he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees Reinheimer-Perry Boys Club, Nutley, NJ.
There will be a graveside memorial service for Walter on August 26, 2023, at Lovell Chapel and Cemetery in Pilot Mountain, NC, where his father and grandfather and many other Lovell men are buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. alzfdn.org
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
20 Comments
Missing you Dad!
I will miss him dearly and I will always have the loving memories I spent with my grandfather. I my thoughts and prayers are with Jannette, my father, and Uncle.
Very polite and thoughtful man..
Walter was a great friend to many. I count myself blessed to have known him.
So sorry for your loss, my sweet Charlotte, Arkansas friend…remember the good memories…
Walter was one of the kindest men I have ever know. I will miss his smile, his jokes and his wonderful singing voice.
We were so very sorry to hear about Walter. I hope that you are doing okay. Prayers for you and the entire family. God be with all of you. Love, your cousin Susie
I’m saddened to read this but I also want to add the time I spent in this precious couple’s home was uplifting and always caused many smiles and laughter. Mr Walter was still sharp and told numerous stories and related times of his childhood. He will be sorely missed. Prayers for his precious wife and friends and family
Thinking of you and family in this time of sorrow, Be blessed
Dear Jeanette,
My thoughts and prayers continue for you. Prayers for God’s comfort as you go through these difficult days. Cherish the memories.
Kive ,
Evelyn
I was blessed to have known Walter for over 2 months as being his caregiver. I really had grown to love Walter and Jannette if they were my own family. I enjoyed taking Walter out to enjoy his sunshine before he got ill and he loved his western movies and one of his favorite musical group was The Bee Gees . I will treasure the time spent with Walter and as well of the stories that he told. I will see you later Walter.
Continued prayers for you and the family. Wonderful obituary you have written. I know you will miss him.
Walter was a friend. I have good memories of him from AT&T. Jannette, you are in my prayers. May God be with you in the days ahead.
My thoughts and prayers for you and the family. So sorry for your loss. May God bless and keep you in his care during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, Jannette. Walter has always been a kind and special man, and I’m so thankful he shared his life with you! May God guide your steps and hold you in his arms. Sending love & hugs!
Uncle Walter (UW) was and remains my favorite uncle!!
UW was my mother’s oldest brother. He got me to eat buckwheat pancakes (which he perfected) in Nutley NJ and l later learned that he loved Rutt’s Hut hotdogs!
He was a gentle but serious giant and l will miss his laugh and love of old Western movies.. Peace be with you big guy !
Please say hello to your sister Ida for me and tell her l miss her too! 🥲
Jeanette,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
I will truly miss Walter , his laughter was contagious, he was so funny smart and kind !! , he came in our lives with his sweet lovely wife Jennette, they both were such kind and special to my family, but mostly my youngest son Ashton , he always referred to them both as his grandparents, he truly love sitting and talking with Walter and watching tv , he will forever be in our hearts , RIP Walter
Enjoyed spending many hours with Walter in the library at Four Seasons. He was a very interesting man to talk to, with so many entertaining stories. Love and prayers to all….
My friend may be gone BUT he will never be forgotten. When ever I saw Walter sitting on the porch, I would say “Hello sweetheart” and he would say back “Hello Mayor”. Something just between us. I will miss you Walter. RIP. ..
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