Mary Ruth Lovelace, 92, of Etowah, TN peacefully passed away Monday, August 31, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the late William Roy Lovelace of Etowah. Mary Ruth was a loving wife, mother and Memaw.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Alan Lovelace and daughter-in-law Sharon (Forgey) Lovelace; grandchildren, Sarah Ivy Lovelace Penalver and husband Julian Penalver, her two great grandsons, Julian Roman Penalver Jr. and Nicolas Weston Penalver, all of Madrid, Spain, Anna Ray Lovelace of Chicago, IL.; as well as, nine other special great grands.

She was born and raised in Tranquility, TN. She attended McMinn County High School when she met her future husband, William Roy. She and her sister, Bernell Ray Sherlin, lived in Chattanooga, TN. When Mary Ruth rekindled her attention with William Roy, they married in 1954. She worked at Sportswear Hosiery Mill and later at McMinn County Board of Education.

Mary Ruth lived a full and wonderful life. She was so blessed to have the loving people she had in her life.

Someone recently said, "I sure wish I had known Mary Ruth a little longer. I could already tell she was a sweet little lady". Yes, Mary Ruth was the true sense of a lady! She was so kind to everyone, and everyone loved her. Sweet, kind, and loving were just a few of her precious traits. Her granddaughter, Sarah, always said, "Memaw is so cute"

Now, she was a gamer! She absolutely loved her Senior Center!! Bingo every day!! Competitive? Oh yes, she loved playing Yahtzee every morning with her son, Jeff; and Rummy every night at 4:30 with her son and her daughter-in-law. When friends from the center would stop by and visit, every one of them commented on how she not only loved the games, but was competitive.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Pastor Justin Worden officiating. 

A private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Etowah Senior Center at 435 Cooper Street Etowah, TN 37331.