Obituary for Deacon Jimmie Love Sr. Love was in the air June 24, 1932 when Jimmie Love made his debut to his parents, Eddie Love, Sr. and Bessie Lee Smith Love, in Tutwiler, Miss. He was the second oldest born to this union. Thereafter, he became the sibling to 10 more children birthed to his mom and beloved father, Walter Hull.
Jimmie Love met his sweetheart, Ella C. Holmes of Memphis, Tenn. , and the young couple married in 1951. They enjoyed a blessed and fruitful marriage for 45 years until his beloved passed April 2, 1996.
The Love team produced a rich harvest of eight children, teeming with grandchildren, great and greatgrands. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ella; daughter, Marilyn Scott; grandson, Eric Young; two great-grandsons, Adrian Gardner and Shelton Johnson; two granddaughters, Tonya Brooks Taylor and Shaunnandrea Tribble; sister, Mary Mullins and four brothers, Robert Love, Sr., James Love, Walter and Robert Hull. Deacon Jimmie Love was originally a member of The Church of the Living God where he served as a trustee and cook.
Later, he worshiped at Unity Baptist Church and served as a deacon also. Well known as one who could bring a smile to a stranger, he was strong in family values. The multitasker wore hats as a welder, barber, bricklayer, carpenter, precinct committeeman of G-420, and a passionate advocate for justice.
Jimmie Love served as a cook in the Army during the Korean War for three of the eight years he was in the military. A foreman for the Gary Sanitation Department, he was also employed at the American Bridge Steel Mill. A political activist, Jimmie Love worked diligently toward the successful election of the first Black Mayor of the City of Gary in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bro. Love demonstrated his cooking skills at home and in the neighborhood, earning the name “Barbecue Dad”. Known as a jokester, his favorite quote was, “Just stay tuned”.
Deacon Love leaves to cherish his memory five sons: Willie B. Tribble & Lawrence (Doris) Davis of Memphis, Tenn. ; Jimmy Jr. (Jeannette) Love of Lafayette, Ind. ; Ricky (Debra) Love of Bloomington, Ind.
; Kevin (Chandra) Love of Logansville, Ga. Four daughters: Clara (Willie) Guider of Goodlettsville, Tenn; Bobbie Billingsley & Bessie Watkins of Merrillville, Ind. ; Darlene Love and goddaughter, Valerie Whiteside of Gary, Ind.
Brothers: Eddie L. Love, Percy Hull, Henry Hull and Larry Hull, all of Memphis, Tenn. Sisters: Lena Mae Miles, Mary Jane Dear, Helen (Thomas) Moody of Memphis, Tenn. ; and Martha Gary of Conroe, Texas; 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, eight great, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives and friends.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Deacon Jimmie Love Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 2. 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Smith Bizzell & Warner Chapel 4209 Grant Street Gary, IN, US Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Jimmie’s Visitation begins.
Celebration of Life NOV 3. 11:00 AM Temple of Deliverence 4929 W. 15th Ave. Gary, IN, US Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before Jimmie’s Celebration of Life begins.
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