Billy Ray Lovelace

Billy Ray Lovelace, 85, of Altheimer, died Sunday, June 18, 2017 at Conway Regional Medical Center. The son of Raymond and Averil Batchelor Lovelace was born June 7, 1932 in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Mr. Lovelace spent his early years in Arkansas and Tennessee and graduated from Dyersburg High School in 1950. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1953. Mr. Lovelace owned and operated Altheimer Lumber Company from 1962 until his retirement in 2007. His store was a gathering place for the small community, where residents could be found enjoying their morning cup of coffee and maybe a story or two. An active member of his community, Mr. Lovelace was a member of East Side Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. He served four terms as Alderman in the Altheimer City Council and two terms as Justice of the Peace in the Jefferson County Quorum Court. Mr. Lovelace was an accomplished gardener. He loved sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Visitors rarely left his home empty handed. Rather, they departed with sacks full of okra, peas, and squash, among many other vegetables and herbs. He enjoyed passing along his knowledge of gardening to others. Mr. Lovelace was also an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Danny Ray Lovelace; and brother, Jerry Lovelace. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Hartzog Lovelace, whom he married January 13, 1953 in Santa Ana, California; two daughters, Toni Ann Lovelace of Conway and Diane Bailey (Jack) of Conway; son, Dennis Lovelace (Kim) of England; brother, Charles Lovelace of Paducah, Kentucky; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2017 in the fellowship hall of East Side Baptist Church, located at 1605 S. Wisconsin Street in Pine Bluff. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary with Reverend Josh Dutton officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Tyler Euseppi, Matthew Lovelace, and Chaz Windle. Memorials may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611 or East Side Baptist Church, 1605 S. Wisconsin Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.