Bro. J W Love

Bro. J W Love, age 91, of Norman, AR went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, December 24, 2018. He was born on May 28, 1927, the oldest of five children born to Major Leva Love and Lona True Perrin Love. On August 30, 1950, he was married to Nona Lee Black, who preceded him in death on July 25, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his three brothers, Felix Love, Loyd Love, and Billy Love. J W graduated from Norman High School Class of 1945 and is believed to be the last living member of his graduating class. A member of what has been coined as the Greatest Generation, J W served in World War II, the Korean War, and retired as the First Sergeant of Company A, 489th Engineer Battalion, U.S Army Reserve in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In his civilian career, he worked multiple jobs in local mining operations, construction, as a truck driver, equipment operator, and mechanic until he began his final career as a dual status civil servant/Army Reservist. Bro J W began preaching in 1964, pastoring multiple churches including Black Springs Baptist, Hillside Baptist, Mt. Olive Baptist, Brushy Baptist, Mount Gilead Baptist Church, Liberty Baptist, and Community Bible Baptist. When he was not physically able to preach, he began a free Bible ministry giving away Bibles to high school seniors, churches, nursing homes, and people anywhere he went. His active military career included over two years in the Merchant Marines from June 1945 until 1948 serving on multiple Wartime Cargo Ships including the Steam Ship (SS) Matchless, SS Ethiopia Victory, SS Rueben Tipton, SS Drapers Meadows, the SS Appomattox, and the Merchant Vessel Cape Romano. After 2 years of Sea Service he left the Merchant Marines and Joined the Army in August 1948 serving in Hanau, Germany, where he served as a Stock Record Clerk and played on the Brigade Football team exempting him from regular duty for part of the tour. He was awarded the WWII Army of Occupation Medal and honorably discharged in March 1950. He married Nona, his bride of over 62 years, in August 1950 and moved to Polk Creek. The Korean War began Jun 25, 1950 and JW was called to Service leaving his Bride of two months on October 1950 until he was honorably discharged September 1951. He received the Occupation Metal for Japan, the Korean Service Medal, and his Battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation (3 awards). "Pappy" Love built his home on the "Van Steenwyk" Homestead near Black Springs and his pastime was clearing land with his chainsaw and tractor and raising fish in his "Pappy" ponds for the Grandkids. He announced in his early 80s that he had run out of trees to cut and be began a war against rocks and prickly pears on his prized farm. Having been a part of the Great Depression, World War II, and the Korean War, one of his favorite sayings was that he lived in a time of the greatest change in the history of the World, with his generation having progressed from the horse and buggy to the Space Shuttle. He is survived by his four children and spouses: Teresa and Mike Lokey of Glenwood, AR; COL Jerry G. Love USA (RET) of Vicksburg, MS; Sharon and Dwight Shields of Vilonia, AR; and Shelia and Matt Camp of Shreveport, LA. He is also survived by Teresas children: Son, Jeff W. and Kari Fryar and step-daughter Sara and Allen Cureton. Jeffs son, Jaden W. Fryar and Jeffs step-children: Riley, Ryan, Ian, and Reagan Bush. Saras children: Drew and M.J. Cureton. Jerrys children: Jarrod W. and Stephanie Love; Kyle and Jessica Love; Kyles daughter, Cora Love due to arrive January 2, 2019. Jerrys step-children: Bud and Buffy Carroll, Anna and Craig Thomas, and Sarah and Thomas Hamauei. Buds son Will Carroll; Annas children: Cabe and Madison Thomas; Adrianna, Audra, Abigail, and Analiese Thomas. Sarahs children: Michael, John, and Maggie Hamauei. Sharons children: Shawn and Stephanie Shields and Katrinka Shields. Shawns children: Preston and Norah Shields. One sister, Edda Oertell of Conway, AR; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 28, 2018, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood. Visitation will be Thursday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Murphy Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Fryar, Jarrod Love, Kyle Love, Shawn Shields, Jaden Fryar and Matt Camp. Honorary pallbearers will be John Burnett, Mike Lokey and Dwight Shields. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.