Rev. John B Lovelace

Wilson - Funeral Services for Rev. John B. Lovelace (J.B.) are scheduled for 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 5, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Wilson with Rev. Don Clark officiating and Rev. Mark Fuller assisting. Interment will follow to Hewitt Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson. We please ask those in attendance to wear a mask. Services will be Facebook Live.

J.B was born July 16, 1926 at Caddo Mills Texas to John and Buelah Griffis Lovelace. He departed this life on February 1, 2021 at the age of 94 years and 6 months. He was the last surviving sibling of 3 sisters, Lometa, Olevia, and Myrtle Lee, and 1 younger brother Ray. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brother, an infant grandson Ricky Don Camplain, and his beloved wife Marcy in 2013. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Pat Ivey and significant other Jeff Stinnett of Kingston, and Malinda Camplain and husband Ricky of Wilson. Grandchildren Jason Ivey and close friend Alisha Khan of Kingston, Jeff Ivey and wife Amy of Purcell, Jamie Guthrie and husband Gary of Lone Grove, Lisa Sudderth and husband Chris of Ardmore, Brooke McKee and husband Richie of Ardmore, Chase Camplain and wife Mayra of Moore. Great grandchildren Brittany, Rider, and Dysin Ivey, Ethan, Riley, and Aiden Khan, Kayden and Blakeleigh Ivey, Bailey Brennan, Emmy Guthrie, Nate and Cale Sudderth, Deakin McKee, William and Kayleigh Camplain.

As a young boy he attended Mesquite and Farmersville Schools. J.B. was saved at the age of 14 at Mesquite Baptist Church. He met the love of his life, Marcy Johnson, at a small country church in Merit near Farmersville. He walked several miles or hitched rides to see and date her until they were married on August 11th, 1945 where they began life on a farm.

J.B. and Marcy had their first daughter Patricia Laurice in September of 1946, and they welcomed a second daughter, Mary Malinda in September of 1954.

J.B. was working for the Texas State Highway Dept when he felt the call to the ministry. He responded to that call and the family moved to Decatur so he could attend Decatur Baptist College. His first pastorate during this time was at a small church near Decatur, Stoney Baptist Church, and it was there he was ordained to preach.He continued studies at Decatur Baptist College and Southeastern State University while pastoring. Other education included Oklahoma Baptist University, and Eastfield College in Mesquite Texas. He was always eager to learn more about the Bible, and attended multiple training sessions including Glorietta and Ridgecrest Baptist Assemblies.

His pastorates include; Stoney Baptist, Achille , Kingston, Union Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs Texas, Colbert, Cumby Texas, Yuba, Binger, Apache, Wilson, Morris Memorial Baptist in Ada Oklahoma, and Cheek Baptist in Lone Grove.

In addition to serving as pastor, he always served in several capacities in churches including RA’s, Brotherhood, going to youth and children camps at Falls Creek and Camp Hudgins for RA’s, Sunday School teacher, Church Training Leader and Bible Teacher for the youth at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly. He served as associational Church Training Union Director in Caddo Association, and Director of Evangelism for Enon Baptist Association in Ardmore. His wife Marcy actively worked with him all through his ministry.

Around 1975, JB and Marcy felt a call to begin working at the Baptist Children’s Home in Dallas Texas where they served as Dorm Supervisor and House parents for teenage girls. They ministered to girls from orphanages in Vietnam, and girls from troubled homes. They kept in contact for many years with some of these girls, 2 who went on to serve as foreign missionaries. They served there for 12 years until retirement.

After retirement and returning to Wilson where they built a small home, JB still had a desire to serve and preach, and he continued as Pastor at Cheek Baptist Church in Lone Grove. He also served as interim pastor at several churches including Cheek, FBC Wilson, and Pickens Indian Church outside of Ardmore. He and Marcy also worked part time at Lone Grove Schools as custodians and bus driver during their retirement years. In the summers they both worked at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly for youth.

Every church that he pastored provided growth and relationships that he and Marcy cherished until their final days. JB loved to be out in the community and could talk to anyone with ease, especially if it involved horses. During his last days as a resident at Wilson Nursing Center, he continued to serve by doing a short daily Bible Study. He was always concerned about the workers, and other residents and prayed for them. His love of God was evident in the love he showed to his fellow man.

The greatest love of his life was the Lord. He felt it was an honor to serve in any way he could, and his goal was to always point others to Jesus.

Pallbearers will be Chase Camplain, Jason Ivey, Jeff Ivey, Chris Sudderth, Gary Guthrie, and Richie McKee. Honorary bearers will be Rider Ivey, Dysin Ivey, Nate Sudderth, Cale Sudderth, Deakin McKee, William Camplain, and Kayden Ivey.

Memories and photos may be shared online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.