Howard William Loveless' Obituary
If you greeted Howard Loveless with the question, “How are you?” his answer was, invariably, “Never better!” This greeting resonates even more clearly today, as he has entered into the heavenly presence of God and his Savior. Howard passed away peacefully on April 27th, at the age of 83, in this Eastertide season celebrating Christ’s Resurrection. Howard William Loveless was born to Nora Robnett Loveless and William Edward Loveless on July 10th, 1927, in Stuttgart, Arkansas; he remained a proud “Ricebird” all his life, organizing and attending class reunions right up until the most recent one in 2010. After serving with the occupational forces in Japan as a member of the First Cavalry, he attended Tulane University on a full scholarship, where he was the House Manager for the Kappa Sigma fraternity, a position which helped him hone his business acumen and fiscal conservatism, traits for which he would remain well-known throughout his life. He earned both MBA and JD degrees from the University of Tennessee, where he was selected to ODK, honored as a UT Torch Bearer, served as president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. It was at UT where he met the love of his life and fellow Phi Beta Kappa member, Lucy Hall Moore.He considered himself most fortunate that Lucy agreed to marry him in 1951, and then he launched his career, first at Coopers and Lybrand in New York; then at Malone, Robnett and Barclay in Memphis. He also taught accounting and the CPA review course at UT Memphis. In 1958 he started his tenure with Slumber Products Corporation (Sealy Southeast) ultimately rising to become the company’s president. He remained at Slumber until the company was sold in 1986. He was a loyal Rotarian, and held memberships in the Chickasaw Country Club and the Friendship Force. A faithful member of Second Presbyterian Church since 1957, Howard especially enjoyed the Thursday morning Amen Bible Study. Everywhere Howard went, he was famous for his outgoing, never-met-a-stranger personality and a remarkable generosity of spirit.For all of his professional and community achievements, Howard’s passion was his family, starting with his beloved “Lu.” Howard and Lucy loved to travel together, driving thousands of miles on adventures both in the United States and in over twenty countries around the world. Their marriage of 60 years was an inspiration to all who knew them and produced five children and a rollicking, loving household built on faith and love. All five children survive: Constance Loveless Friend (Connie); Dr. Howard William Loveless, Jr. (Hal) with wife Kathleen; William Edward Loveless II (Bill) with wife Mary; Dr. Scott Barclay Loveless with wife Minette; and Lucy Robnett Loveless Archer (Robbie) with husband Reyn. He also leaves sixteen grandchildren who adored their “Pa” almost as much as he adored them: Katie and Joey Friend; Suzie, Laura, Olivia, and William Loveless; Mary, Lucy, and Kate Loveless; Sarah, Scotty, Libby, Clay and David Loveless; Will and Edward Archer.Howard was predeceased by his parents and five of his six brothers: Al, Wilmer, Walter, Boddie, and Larry. He is also survived by his wife Lucy; his brother Dr. Donald E. Loveless of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his sister Dorothy Loveless Harlan of Stuttgart, Arkansas; his aunt Annette N. Robnett of Houston, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church at 1:00 on Saturday, April 30th with visitation immediately following at the church. The family asks that memorials be directed to the Mission Fund of Second Presbyterian Church or the Neighborhood Christian Center.
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