Jo Lovelace Obituary

Jo Ann (Jones) Lovelace

July 1, 1933 -

November 13, 2025

On November 13, 2025, Jo Ann Lovelace, 92, passed away peacefully at home with her daughters by her side after an extended battle with Stage 4 Kidney-Disease. Jo Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of faith. Jo Ann was born to Charles and Grace Jones on July 1, 1933 in Kingsport, and married the love of her life, Roy Edward Lovelace on June 10, 1955. She was a house wife and raised four children.

Jo Ann was a horse lover from the time she was a young girl. After her children left home, she and Roy co-managed the Meadowview Stables in Kingsport. She scheduled and gave riding lessons, managed the bordering of horses, and kept the stable books. Jo Ann loved writing and wrote many articles about quarter horses. Her article Caring For Your Quarter Horse was featured in Horse Illustrated. She also wrote many children's stories over the years that are posted on her webpage at PaintHorseAcres (https://painthorseacres.tripod.com/).

She dearly loved her husband, horses, and dogs. She and Roy acquired their life dream of having a small farm where they could have their dogs and horses. They shared many quiet years on that small farm.

Jo Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Roy Edward Lovelace; son, Michael Edward Lovelace; father, Charles Jones; mother, Grace Jones; sisters, Norma Prior, Mildred Neeley, and Wilma Derting.

Jo Ann leaves behind her daughters, Sheila Barberia and Sharon Stephenson (James); son, Keith Lovelace; six grandchildren, Joni Iley (Chip), Shane Leonard, Bryan Leonard, Lori Staton (Patrick), Susan Powers (Ken), Steven Lovelace; seven great-grandchildren, Michael Dylan, Kaylee, Emily, Zach, Casandra, Joshua, Jordan; three great-great-grandsons and one great-great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her treasured sisters-in-law, Elaine Ketron and Rita Ryans. She leaves behind her beloved horse, Cody and dog, Jessica.

There will be a private service held for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to your favorite charity, i.e., Samaritan's Purse; Small Miracles, Kingsport; Somebody Loves Me, Inc., Bristol, TN; St. Judes; or Tunnel To Towers Foundation.

Visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave online condolences.