Patsy Gentry Lovell

"She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future."  Proverbs 31:25

Patsy Delores Gentry Lovell, age 84, died peacefully in her sleep at home on February 18, 2016.  She had been in failing health for several years after having a stroke.

Patsy was born in Nashville, Tennessee on May 13, 1931, to Corinne Rebecca English Gentry and Martin Alonzo Gentry.  Her brother Harold was born the next year.  The family moved frequently and lived in several states due to her father's work with Dupont Company. As a child, Patsy missed having long-term friends and being able to stay in one school, and she developed a strong longing for one home where she could stay forever.  She was to realize this dream with the love of her life as a young adult.

Patsy excelled in academics and music.  By her high school years she was piano accompanist for her church gospel quartet.  She also played piano, along with her good friend Janris who played the organ, for a minister who conducted weekend revivals.  She graduated from East High School in Nashville and Tennessee Tech University.  Later she studied toward an Ed.S. degree at Alabama A&M University.

While working her way through college in the cafeteria, she met the love of her life, Charlie Lovell.  According to them both, it was not love at first, but they soon learned to love and respect each other and never wavered for the rest of their lives together. Married in 1952, they were wed for 63 years.
As Charlie was finishing college and beginning to work at TVA, Patsy taught elementary school in Nashville.  Soon after Charlie accepted work at NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, the family moved to Hazel Green where Patsy was a stay-at-home mom to their six children.  Patsy was always very proud of her engineer husband, and together they taught their children the values of education, working hard, and a love of nature.  It was not unusual for the children to be awakened to look at a colorful sunrise or allowed to stay up late to look for falling meteors or watch a satellite cross the night sky.

A sincere love for Christ was evident in all Patsy did throughout her life.  She had become a believer at an early age and was active in music and teaching ministries at church all of her adult life until her health concerns did not allow her to continue.  Many people remember her animated teaching style, both in church and in the several schools where she taught. She taught music and later math and literature at several Madison County schools. She ended her 30+ year career in education as an administrator. She was inordinately proud that one of her choral groups was the first- ever performing group in the newly constructed Von Braun Civic Center and that much of her poetry, as well as that of many students, was published. She always wanted her work to glorify her Lord and Savior, and felt truly blessed that one of her articles was part of a book by Focus on the Family and has been translated into several languages. This article, entitled “Hold On”, told of how she was led by the Lord to be steadfast and strong in the midst of struggle.

Patsy was a woman of many talents, including gardening, canning vegetables, sewing clothing for her children, refinishing furniture and woodwork of all kinds, and was an avid quilter. Hardly any challenge would she fail to tackle, and she taught her children by her example how to work hard as well as how to have fun. Her steadfast trust in the Lord helped carry her through life, and she constantly spoke with others about His love and care. Patsy is with her Lord and Savior, praising Him with the angels around His throne!

Patsy was predeceased by her parents, Corinne and Alonzo Gentry, her brother Harold Gentry and her son, Chuck Lovell.  She is survived by her husband Charles Lovell, children Rebecca, Kathleen (Stanley Parker), Jane, David (Staci) and Greg (Kim); grandchildren Scott Parker (Rachel), Stacey Perry, Ryan Parker (Kristin), Daniel Perry (Tamara), Averi Lovell, Ethan Lovell, Chase Lovell, Jacob Lovell and Gabriel Lovell, great-grandchildren Hailey Parker, Caleb Logsdon, Gavin Logsdon, Courtney Parker, Elijah Logsdon, Keane and Gracie Parker, Lucas Logsdon, Taziah Burnett, Hadassa Logsdon and Sebastien Perry; dear friend and sister in the Lord Jeanette Osborne.

The family suggests memorials to Huntsville First Church of the Nazarene, Huntsville Rescue Mission, or Focus on the Family.

The family would like to thank Hospice Family Care, HGS Home Health, and Mom’s various physicians and their staff.  We have been blessed with wonderful friends, neighbors, and church family; we thank all of you for your prayers and encouragement.

“Her children call her blessed, and her husband also, and he praises her.”  Proverbs 31:28