Esther Eleanor Lovejoy, 85, of Charleston (formerly of Lincoln County) passed away January 10, 2010, at The Ridgemont at Edgewood Summit.
Born October 15, 1924, in Palermo, WV, Lincoln County, to Asa and Versie Lovejoy, Esther was active in her church and community. In the 1970s, she was a seamstress for Mountain Artisans, making quilts and clothing. She worked for and retired from WVU Extension Service. She was a member of the Alum Creek Church of Christ. Before moving, she was active in the Bear Branch and Griffithsville congregations. As a volunteer, she logged countless hours as a 4-H leader, Duval High School volunteer, church volunteer and auxiliary member at Thomas Memorial Hospital and as a volunteer at a nursing home in Hamlin, WV. Her quilting talents provided her the chance to be a demonstrator at the West Virginia Arts and Crafts Fair for several years. Her dedication to family, friends and community earned her the honor of Alum Creek Citizen of the Year in 1997. One of her most prized titles, however, was being named Champion Hog Caller of the Alum Creek Pig Roast.
Before moving to Alum Creek and before her husband, Emmett, passed away, Esther worked the family farm. With the fruits of their labor, her table was full of fresh vegetables during season, and she canned to provide food year round. She was known for her blackberry jelly and apple butter. She and Emmett welcomed everyone to the dinner table and never missed a World Series game on television.
After the death of her husband, Esther met special friend John McLean of Florida. After living a selfless life, she found someone to pamper her. She would winter in Florida, where they golfed, dined out daily and made pots of vegetable soup and gallons of fresh orange juice. However, one of their favorite activities was driving to McDonald’s for fresh coffee and an apple pie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett R. Lovejoy; her sons Roger R. Lovejoy and Gary Dale Miller; grandson, Joseph Preston Lovejoy; sister, Mildred (Lovejoy) Orris; brother, Cebert Lovejoy; and special friend John McLean.
Survivors include daughter, Mary Ann Green, and husband, Larry, their daughter, Emma, of Charleston; daughter-in-law Pauletta (Pam) A. Lovejoy of Sumerco; grandson, R. Ray Lovejoy II, and wife, Corrie, their daughter, Savanna, of Charleston. She also leaves behind many dear friends, including Carole Holder and Roseanna White, both of Alum Creek; Roseanne Asbury of Bear Branch; and Lisa Graley of Lafayette, LA. She also will be missed by a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews – all of whom she loved dearly.
Funeral service will be 1 PM Saturday, January 16, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Ministers Charles McKinney and Justin Imel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning two hours before the service. Orchard Hills Cemetery will be her final resting place.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice Care 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston 25312 or to Alum Creek Church of Christ at 2368 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV 25003. Special thanks are given to Ruthie Craddock and Libby Krueger, personal caregivers; the Ridgemont staff; Hospice nurse Stacy Smith and the Hospice support team; and Dr. Tom Takubo, his partners and staff at Pulmonary Associates of Charleston. Each touched her life and made a difference in its final chapter.