Bobbie Pugh Lovelace's Obituary
Bobbie Pugh Lovelace, aged 88, passed away peacefully at home on February 17, 2025. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Robert Norman and Orzell Owen Pugh, her sweet brother, Thomas Joseph Pugh and beloved husband Jesse William (Bill) Lovelace.
Born in Memphis on May 18, 1936, Bobbie lived a life marked by love and service. She is survived by her children, Leslee Pascal, Lisa Holliday (Craig), Chris Lovelace; her grandchildren Jesse Huseth (Emily), Corbitt Huseth (Brie), Tucker Huseth (Kristi), Nicholas Pascal, Joseph Pascal (Shelby), Avery Pascal, Mary Catherine Holliday (Matt), Emily Holliday; and her great-grandchildren Abigail Huseth, Eva Huseth, Holli Huseth, Pate Huseth and Katie Louise Pascal. She also leaves behind a most dearly loved sister, Sylvia Cochran (Bill) and cousin, Betty Cox, as well as nieces and nephews equally loved.
From the time Bobbie was able to toddle, she had an inherent ability to dance. From childhood through the end of life, she considered herself a dancer and took pleasure in remembering the times she was onstage. She danced with several dance companies in Memphis and even taught dance to children while she was still a teen.
Bobbie graduated from Lausanne Collegiate School and then attended Christian College. During the next years of her life, she married, had her three children and graduated from Memphis State University with a degree in education.
Bobbie and her family moved from Memphis to California, then Colorado and eventually circled back to Memphis where she would spend the remainder of her life.
Bobbie was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church, giving of her time adorning the sanctuary with flowers, as a deacon and as President of Women of the Church. She also gave many years to the Women’s Exchange of Memphis, with a portion of that time spent as President of the organization.
Bobbie and Bill traveled the world as a couple and with their families and friends. No year went by without an amazing trip that Bobbie planned. Europe, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Russia - all conquered by land or by sea (in their sailboat, Elpis) with happiness and gusto.
An avid bridge player for the majority of her life, Bobbie played with one special bridge club for more than forty years. She had a sharp mind and a strong will and was unafraid to speak her mind. She was also a fiercely loyal friend and generous to those in need.
Bobbie found comfort in her deep faith and openly expressed her commitment to God. Her most enduring and deepest relationships, outside of family, were those created through Christian fellowship. Bobbie and Bill had an amazing circle of friends with whom they could play and pray - what a profound blessing and example to their children.
She will be deeply missed. But, the grieving for her absence here on earth is outweighed by the joy found in reuniting with Bill and the glory in seeing the face of God.
From Bobbie’s Bible, written in her own hand:
“I want to glorify God and be more like him. In doing this, ‘all’ will fall into place and I will be accepted into my Father’s house. God give me the Grace to press on to this goal … to this Victory.”
What’s your fondest memory of Bobbie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bobbie?
Share a story where Bobbie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bobbie you’ll never forget.
How did Bobbie make you smile?