Lovette Lee Parnell

Bryant, AR

November 8, 1938 – February 14, 2024

What a wonderful life!

In life and death he did things his way.  He lived with a "can do" spirit, determination and the drive to do the best that he could no matter the task. Blessed with a strong will and a handshake to match, he always wanted to know how we can do something, not why we can't, this led to success on the football field, in the business world and throughout his life.

He married Mairbeth James, his Camden High School sweetheart; together they raised their two sons, Todd and Keith and as a family lived their version of the American Dream.  His success in foodservice sales led to management positions with Vogel's Foods and a move to Bryant.  The next years of his life were filled with work and pleasure. He traveled the state with work, built two homes in Bryant, restored several award winning antique automobiles, and sang in gospel quartets.

Space doesn't allow for a list of all the adventures and misadventures as he moved into the retirement years. Days were filled with woodworking projects as well as going to auctions and car shows but a special mention must be made of their RV travels.  They crossed the country following the Razorbacks and made frequent trips to Branson all the while making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.  They were living life to the fullest and enjoying every bit of it.  Mairbeth's illness and death in 2004 brought a life changing cloud of darkness for a time but a light was on the horizon, one that would make the second part of life as good as the first, enter Ura Mae Jackson.They had known of each other through church and community but not well.  A chance encounter at a car wash, a simple "would you like to drive cars?" and they were off on their own life adventure.  Lovette by this time was staying busy driving cars with a new business, "LOVE-IT'S DEALER TRADE", that chance encounter led to a new love. They married November 8, 2015 and have traveled their road in the dealer transport business and in life together as husband and wife.

All of Ura Mae's family were accepting, loving and caring of Lovette.  Her Sons Gary, Kelly, Jeff and daughter Brenda, their spouses, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren each welcomed him into the family; this most certainly extended the length and quality of his life.There is never enough time for life's special moments and special people.  Lovette wore many hats, literally and figuratively, you couldn't place him in one category without shortchanging another.  He could build a house from ground to rooftop and sing a song while playing guitar, to some a mentor to others a teammate. A Navy Veteran, boss, business owner, church member, hog caller, fisherman, husband, father, brother and friend, you see what I mean. For my brother and I our category is much easier, we are Lovette Parnell's sons, now and forever.

Visitation will be from 11:30 to 12 Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Ashby's.

Funeral services will be 12:00 Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to follow at Pine crest Cemetery.