David Lovelace Obituary

"...Forgetting those things which are behind me, and reaching forth unto those things which are before me, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus..."

This passage from Philippians 3:13-14 was the scriptural basis for the prison and re-entry ministry of Reverend Lovelace.

He was born on July 26, 1938 in Richlands, Virginia, died, November 15, 2023 at age 85. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Herman E. Lovelace and Ida Mae Lundy Lovelace; his brother, Lundy William Lovelace; and sister Virginia Mae McMahan. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Claire Johnson Lovelace of Kingsport, TN; son, David Brock Lovelace; Grandsons, William and Matthew, and their mother, Kari, of Florida; brother-in-law, Philip Johnson (Lisa); sister-in-law, Jane Lovelace; nieces: Elizabeth Zachary, Virginia Claire Waddell (Joe), Kathy Zachary, Ashley Overley (Matt) , Laura Jones (Allen), Julia Cope (Chris), Christa Johnson (Jay); nephews: John Zachary (Anita), David Zachary, Eddie Lovelace (Medley), Jack Rodman (April); special relatives: Kenneth Wilmoth (Helen), Kingsport; Kendra Harrold (Bart), Jonesborough, TN; Scott Wilmoth (Buffy), Indianapolis, IN.

David graduated from Chattanooga High School ('56), Tennessee Wesleyan College ('60), and Candler School of Theology, Emory University ('63).

As a member of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, he served Wildwood UMC in Wildwood, GA while a student, Mosheim Parish in Greene County, TN for four years before entering the U.S. Army as a chaplain, based at Fort Knox, KY; 4/31 Battalion of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, American Division in Vietnam; Fort Bragg, NC. After completing his three-year commitment with the Army, he served seven appointments in the greater Knoxville area (Fountain City, Trundles Crossroads/now Seymour UMC, St. Mark, Norwood, Hillcrest, and Oak Ridge First UMC, Colonial Heights, Knoxville), and his last four years before retirement at Munsey Memorial UMC in Johnson City, TN. He served on the boards of Holston Methodist Federal Credit Union and Asbury Centers, Inc.

During his time at Munsey, he became deeply involved in the Northeast Tennessee Kairos Prison Ministry. In addition to Kairos, he worked with a veterans' group at NECX, Mountain City, TN, and the Seven Steps to Freedom Foundation. These activities led to work in re-entry for released offenders. Working closely with the prison chaplain, he arranged to do counseling with men prior to their parole hearings and scheduled times for release. He, along with former offenders and citizens of the community, provided assistance in transition and stability. He then served as the Northeast Tennessee representative on the Tennessee Community Resource Board and the local Community Resource Board in Mountain City.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport, TN on Saturday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Randy Frye, Rev. Doug Grove-DeJarnett, and Rev. Michael Lester officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northeast Tennessee Kairos, PO Box 5206, Johnson City, TN 37602 or Shades of Grace UMC, 313 East Sullivan Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN 37604, is honored to serve the Lovelace family. (423) 610-7171.