Willie Lee Lovett, Jr., fondly known as "Buddy" by family and "Will" by friends, was born Sept. 12, 1942 to Juanita and Willie Lee Lovett, Sr., in El Dorado. After graduating from Washington High School, he worked at Zales Jewelers, Prescolite and subsequently retired from Lion Oil.
At a young age, he accepted Christ and later united with Free Union AME Church. In 1987, he was chosen to preach the Gospel. He pastored at St. James Church in Urbana and St. Andrews in Huttig. The Lord took him to Harmony Grove, where he founded St. Paul Christian Church.
His mama called him "Buddy," her little Preacher Man. His sisters said that when Buddy was about 4 or 5 years old, he would sit at the piano, which is how he learned to play by ear. He was so small his little feet could not reach the pedals. Any song that he heard, he could play. Whenever a car would pull up in the yard, Buddy would run and hide, and they would have to go and find him because he knew people wanted to hear him play the piano. He had a true love for gospel music at a very young age. Willie was also a part of a group called The Soulful Soul Searchers of El Dorado. The group was organized in the 1970s. Willie lived the Word of God. He was determined to go all the way even if he had to go alone. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him," (2 Timothy 2:12).
Willie Lee Lovett, Jr., lived a full life of 77 years. He transitioned on Nov. 6, 2019, at Ruston Regional Memorial Hospital in Ruston, Louisiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Earlene Ramey and Ernestine Burges; four brothers, Charles, James, Ervin and Perry Lovett; and one son, Garry Lovett.
Willie leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 23 years, Lynda Lovett of El Dorado; three daughters, April Lovett of California, Tameka (Alvin) Coulter of Dallas, Texas, and Angela Marsh of Pensacola, Florida; two sons, Terry W. (Shauna) Crew of Wausau, Wisconsin and Shawn Lovett of El Dorado; two sisters, Maxine Milsap and Emma Mardis of Chicago, Illinois; one sister-in-law, Patsy Lovett of El Dorado; 14 grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Christian Church, 134 Ouachita 404, Camden. Burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery, El Dorado. There will be public visitation at the funeral home from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.
The service is entrusted to the professional care of Andrews Funeral Home.