Mary Louise Renz Lovett

MARY LOUISE RENZ LOVETT, 94, of Jacksonville died on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. She was born February 12, 1923 in McGehee, Arkansas to the late Augustus and Magdelina Dasbach Renz. She and her twin sister were the last of 12 children. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by all of her siblings and her husband of almost 60 years, Thomas J. Lovett. She is survived by her children, Terry (Lynne) of Hico, Texas, Tim (Susan) of Panama, Becky (Joe) Gertsch of Jacksonville, Jan (Ted) Kuburich of Heber Springs: grandchildren, Jeff Lovett (Marit), David Lovett (Miki), Elizabeth Lovett, Katy Lovett, Joanna Lovett, Kyle Unser (Whitney), Jana Jokerst (Adam), Andrew Gertsch, Evan Kuburich (Melissa) and Caroline Kuburich; great grandchildren, Finn, Edith, Madison, Triston, Niarah, Jelani, Zakeyah, Will and Clara. She was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church. She made the most of her 94 years. She left McGehee on a train and met her fiancée in Yuma, Arizona where they married, went to the movies (because it was air conditioned) and continued on a train to Palm Springs, California where he was stationed with the Army. They moved during the early years of their marriage from California to Tacoma, Washington, to Chicago, to Lake Providence, Louisiana and then to Clarksville, Arkansas where Tom went to Pharmacy school. From Clarksville to Fort Smith and finally to LRAFB in 1961 where he worked as the Pharmacist until his retirement. Once both sons graduated from college and before her daughters started, she attended college at UCA. She graduated with honors and continued her education, receiving her masters degree in Library Science from U of A. She went to work at Jacksonville High School. She absolutely loved life. She was never bored, ever. She was interested in everything and stayed informed on all current events. She loved the outdoors, traveling, camping, fishing, painting, art museums, education, reading, politics, playing bridge, puzzles of any kind, and sewing. She made most of her clothes, even into her 80's, and could upholster anything sitting still. She was a proud yellow dog Democrat. Cooking was not her specialty. She burned the bottom of most any bread because she was already interested in something else before it came out of the oven. "Lovett done" became the fond term for burned bread. She loved nature and could name most any bird, tree or flower she saw. If she didn't know it, she looked it up in one of her many reference books. She believed she had the best children ever born (and they married amazing people) and believed any place they worked was the best company. She was an optimist of gigantic proportions. Not only was the glass half full, if we looked around a little, we would find the other half. She was grateful for all the gifts in her life, things or circumstances other people might not see as a gift. She believed the best of everyone, she was a pragmatist and she was fearless. She never complained, even after a fall forced her from her home and into an assisted living facility at age 93. She was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother and we will miss her forever. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary service beginning at 7:00 Monday, February 12, 2018 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501)982-2136. Memorial services will be 11:00 Tuesday at the funeral home with interment following at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com. We would like to thank the excellent, dedicated staff at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Sherwood for their loving care of our mother. Every staff member demonstrated love, kindness, professionalism and respect in their care for her. We are grateful to all of you beyond words.