Fred Lovelace

FRED  LOVELACE



Fred Roberts Lovelace, Jr., (Prominent Businessman) 90, of Bessemer City, passed away at Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia on February 6, 2013 with his family and friends by his side.  Mr. Lovelace was born March 28, 1922 in Gaston County to the late Fred Roberts Lovelace, Sr. and Pearl Kiser Lovelace Spivey, the eldest of five children.



Fred was owner and operator of Lovelace Plumbing Inc. for 60 years. He was blessed with tireless work ethic, boundless energy, a quick wit and sense of humor, humility and devotion to family and friends.  He was never too busy to lend a hand to his family and friends he so dearly loved. Fred Lovelace's life was characterized by a strong service ethic and sense of civic involvement.  Fred was a charter member and organizer of Tryonota VFD where he served as Chief of Tryonota VFD for 22 years.  He was a World War II Veteran serving with the 25th Infantry Division-Tropic Lightning.  Mr. Lovelace was also proud of his service as a Mason and Shriner.  He was a Master Mason and Past Master of the Whetstone Lodge #515 Bessemer City and also a member of the Scottish Rites, Charlotte, NC.  Fred was a Shriner with Oasis Temple of Charlotte and participated in many charity and fundraising events for the Shriners Children's Hospitals.  Mr. Lovelace served as Past President of Gaston County Shriners Club in 1995. He also was a member of Bessemer City Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron for several years. Fred was an enthusiastic outdoors man.  He loved hunting, fishing, Atlanta Braves baseball and planting his little garden each year. All friends and neighbors knew his tomatoes were some of the best in the county.  Fred loved to hunt. He and his brother, Sid hunted in many areas of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Wyoming and Colorado.  Fred's most recent deer killed was Thanksgiving, 2012 in Georgia at age 90. A man of strength an unimpeachable character, he loved life and lived it to the fullest. His family and friends will miss his companionship, his humor, and his guidance.  He was a man among men; and we are all grateful for the time he shared with us and we are humbled by the example he set for us. A true man in every sense of the word.



The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of SICU at Gaston Memorial Hospital for all of their excellent care and support given to Mr. Lovelace.



He is survived by daughter, Belinda L. Riddle of the home; one grandson, Clint Riddle of Bessemer City; brother, Sidney C. Lovelace of Bessemer City; sister, Dr. Lois Duke Whitaker and husband Dr. Andrew Whitaker of Columbia, SC; half-brother, Danny Lovelace and wife Robbie of Cherryville; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.



In addition to his parents, Mr. Lovelace was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Biggerstaff Lovelace; sisters, Julia Polhemus, Anne Watson; son-in-law, Tommy W. Riddle.



His funeral service will be held February 9, 2013 at 11:00 am Saturday at Concord United Methodist Church, 2404 Tryon Courthouse Road, Bessemer City, NC with the Rev. John Blalock and Rev. Jerry Millwood, Rev. Dick Whitener officiating.



Interment will follow at the church cemetery with full military rites by Bessemer City American Legion Post 243 Honor Guard and Masonic rites by Whetstone Masonic Lodge #515.



The family will receive friend's February 8, 2013, from 6:00-9:00 pm Friday at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home, Bessemer City.



The family request memorials to be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, C/O Oasis Shiners 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC 28262  OR   Concord United Methodist Church, 2404 Tryon Courthouse Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016