Jackie Lovett
Photograph of Jackie Ray Lovett, obtained from Holloway Funeral Home.
Jackie Ray Lovett passed away early in the morning of August 5th, 2020 at Kent General Hospital in Dover, Delaware. He was 71. Jackie was born in Kentucky on October 29th, 1948 but spent much of his life in Salisbury, Maryland.
An ordained minister, Jackie guided countless people to faith for over three decades. He was also a life-long learner who earned several degrees. Jackie’s thoughtful and artistic Christmas cards were beloved by his family and friends. On his online tribute wall, Jackie’s niece Vanessa Adams recalled how her uncle never failed to send her a Christmas card and last year even tucked a four-leaf clover into her card. In his free time, Jackie also loved to garden.
Other tributes are a testament to Jackie’s character and impact. Jackie’s sister-in-law Karol Davis wrote in his memory: “Rest in Peace. You will be missed by so many!... As a child and teenager I knew you were always there for me....many times I might add...to stand up for me and beside me to help me fix my mistakes. So blessed to have you as my brother-in-law!”
A friend of Jackie’s echoed Karol’s sentiments, describing Jackie as a person who lived with humility and grace—who was kind, warm, and respectful, and who “practised his faith daily and ministered to others' needs.” The friend went on to say that “[Jackie] was an anchor in many lives -- grounding them and encouraging them. I cannot begin to tell you how many lives he touched -- and we are ALL better because of him.”
Jackie Ray Lovett smiling, courtesy of Shannon Perdue, by way of Delaware News Journal.
Jackie passed away due to COVID-19 and complications from hypothyroidism. He was incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) at the time of his passing. Among the chorus of voices criticising SCI for its utter lack of communication with the loved ones of incarcerated people who contract COVID-19 was Jackie’s daughter, Shannon Perdue, who expressed her profound frustration with the treatment of her father in an interview with the Delaware News Journal. “It should not have been like this,” she implored, referring to the prison’s failure to isolate and protect Jackie from the virus because of his age. “He didn’t deserve this.”
Jackie Ray Lovett (front right) poses with family members, courtesy of Shannon Perdue, by way of Delaware News Journal.
Jackie is survived by two brothers, four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Jackie Ray Lovett will be missed dearly, and we stand in solidarity with his friends and family. May he rest in peace with Christ, his Lord and Savior.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Laura McGinn Haight with information from reporting by Xerxes Wilson of Delaware News Journal on July 24th and August 5th, 2020, as well as an obituary and tribute wall created by Holloway Funeral Home.
