Rev. Rev. Charles Lewis Lovett

Charles Lewis Lovett was born on November 11, 1929, in Strong, Arkansas. God called him home to glory on June 30, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 95. Charles was born to the union of Rodell Lovett and Arcie Mae Smith Lovett and was one of six children. After the passing of his mother when he was just 13 years old, his father later remarried to his stepmother, Annie Mae Thompson Lovett.

Charles grew up in Strong, and at an early age left school to help run the family farm. He grew into a hardworking young man, leaving Strong to seek employment in Detroit, Michigan. Later, he returned to Strong where he married Ruby Lee Howard - the love of his life, on November 29, 1952. Together Charles and Ruby built a home for themselves, and their eleven children filled with love and faith.

He was a self-taught man who had a profession and a calling. His profession was an electrician and had a successful career with the El Dorado School District where he retired at the age of 55.

Ministry was his calling. His spiritual ministerial journey began one Sunday morning in 1973 when he received his calling while singing in the choir at Curry Chapel A.M.E Church. He professed to the congregation that the Lord told him to "go preach and teach the people." In the decades that followed, Reverend Charles Lovett pastored six churches, each left better by his presence.

Rev. Lovett served in the South Conference of the A.M.E. 12th Episcopal District. He was the pastor at Camp Ground and Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Churches in Crossett, Arkansas. At Camp Ground he modernized the sanctuary with central heating and air conditioning, and at Quinn Chapel, he helped build a fellowship hall. He was also the pastor at Soldiers Chapel A.M.E. where his leadership ensured that the congregation paid off their new church and parking lot - culminating in the church's first annual conference. When assigned to the Johnsonville Circuit in Hermitage, he was pastor of Palestine and Hampton Chapel where his leadership helped the churches grow in their spiritual Christian walk with God. Rev. Lovett also served in the Central Conference and was pastor at Free Hope in Strong serving side by side with the members as they built a new church which has a cornerstone that was laid by the Arkansas Prince Hall Masons. After he served as pastor of Free Hope, Rev. Lovett retired from the ministry. He would later return from retirement to pastor the members of Mt. Olive A.M.E church until his health started to decline.

Rev. Lovett not only served in the ministry; he also faithfully served his community. He was the founding President of the Aurelle Water Association. He led the Association to national recognition that took them to Washington, D.C. earning them awards and accolades. He was also a member of the water board that helped build the Union Power Station, now known as Entergy, located on Calion Highway. In June 2017, the Arkansas House of Representatives honored him with an official citation in honor of his service and commitment to his community and for a life spent helping others. Rev. Lovett was also a member of Shady Grove Lodge No. 17 and a Thirty-Second Degree Master Mason.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter and a successful farmer. He led by example, showing his children that hard work, faith, and perseverance were traits that led to success.

Though our hearts are heavy, they are also full of gratitude for a man who faithfully loved God, his family and community, a man who lived a good and purposeful life using his God given talents and skills to serve. His motto was – "If I can hope 'help' somebody, then my living would not be in vain."

Rev. Lovett was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Sherry Lovett and Annie Faye Scott; one son, Edward Lovett; three sisters, Ella Marie Lovett Wayne, Elzora Lovett Honeycutt, and Marilyn Yvonne Lovett Hamilton; and his brother, Robert Elijah Lovett.

His memory will be cherished by his beloved wife of 72 years, Ruby; One sister: Mattie Lovett; eight children-Evelyn Thomas and Josephine Ward (Marvin) of Strong, AR; Gloria Maddox (Henry) of Indianapolis, IN; Linda Lovett of Little Rock, AR; Barbara Lark (Reginald), of El Dorado, AR; Donald Lovett (Sandy ), of Woodbridge, VA; Samuel Lovett (Erica) of Virginia Beach, VA; Betty Lovett (Tyrone) of Lithia Springs, GA; his sister-in-law: Mary Lovett, and his 19 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.