Jesse Lovell

Jesse Delmas Lovell, age 73 beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and long-time business man in Cookeville gave up his 2 and a half year battle with internal metastatic melanoma on Saturday May 2, 2015. He was at home and surrounded by his three children, David, Lisa and Mark and his wife/soulmate Carole. He was born October 7, 1941 in Rhea County, Tennessee, at home, the fourth of five children and the only son of Holman and Cecil Jackson Eldridge Lovell. When he was three years old his father was killed in a forestry accident. From that day forward, his mother assured him that he had a direct line to God because he became an orphan when he lost his father. Psalm 68:5 says of God "I will be a father to the fatherless and a defender to widows." He was raised believing this and never doubted its' truth for him. He met his wife Carole at Echo Valley Pool and they were inseparable for their next two years of college. They married in 1964. He graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1965 and the next 9 years were spent working for the Ralston Purina Company. In 1973, He bought the Ralston Purina Dealership in Cookeville. Lovell Farm and Home Center became the go to place for farmers, gardeners and horsemen for the next 25 years. He planned to retire and spend time with his horses and his grandchildren. However, he had shares in American Lift Elevator Company in Johnson City, Tennessee. He took over this company and rescued it until it could be sold. Again he thought he might retire and spend time with his horses and his grandchildren, his two greatest passions in life. However, his mother in law became ill and he did what he usually did. He served his family and the community and took over the management of Echo Valley Pool and Recreation and Echo Valley Apartments. Jesse Lovell was a man of many talents. He successfully ran three completely different types of businesses, farmed, and raised prize winning quarter horses. The horses he bred and raised were in the top ten in world competitions four times, one year his son Mark won the World Show and twice his granddaughter placed in Barrel Racing also in the World Show, and Jesse's team took third place in Team Penning in yet another World Show. He held licenses in real estate, insurance and investments. When necessary he drove his feed delivery trucks, he developed a special nutritional feed for show horses. He designed and was the general contractor for his home. In addition, he had many other interests and talents that are too numerous to mention. Most of all, Jess was devoted to his Heavenly Father. He was a faithful church member all of his life and for the past 10 years he was very active at Life Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He always knew that God would heal him although he loved life and hoped He would not have to take him home to do it. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and his younger sister Connie Jean who died of breast cancer. He was devoted to his father and mother-in law, Fowler and Martha Wright and was always there to help during their illnesses and deaths. He was proud of his three children David, Lisa and Mark. David is involved in sleep medicine, Mark is a licensed therapist and Lisa, who was for many years a stay at home mom for her three children is now in graduate school to also become a therapist. Jesse Lovell was a man full of faith. He was faithful all of his life to his God, his family, his church, and to all of his friends, neighbors, tenants, and employees. He did many random acts of kindness that others did not see. Although he was always successful in business, he was not overly ambitious for himself. He was far more interested in helping his family members to succeed in their goals, interests and careers. He is survived by his wife Carole, his three children David Lovell and his life partner Amanda Shay Ennis, Lisa Lovell, and Mark and wife Kerry Lovell, four grandchildren Savanna Lovell, and Bailey, Molly and Daniel Ebersole all of Cookeville; three remaining sisters, Joan Still, Johnny Maupin both of Cleveland, TN and Wanda Wilkey of Hixon, TN; many nieces and nephews and devoted farm hands James and Angie Taylor and housekeeper Frances Johnson. Jesse Lovell is finally retired. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren. He was loved and respected by many and will be missed not only by his family, but also by his community. Jesse's life verse is found in Proverbs 3:5 -6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Services are arranged by Hooper, Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Visitation at the funeral home for friends and family is Tuesday May 5, 2015 from 5 to 8 pm. Services will be at Life Church on Wednesday May 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. The family will be available to receive friends at the church preceding the services from 11:00 am until 1:00pm. Pastor Bobby Davis and Bro. James Edward Scott will officiate. Burial will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Nelson Bean, Thomas Maupin, Steve Barrett, Freddie Holloway, James Taylor, and John David Sims.