Shirley E. Lovegrove
CHURCHVILLE – Shirley Elizabeth Lovegrove, 86, passed away Tuesday (March 11, 2025) in Augusta Health.
Born January 29, 1939 in Augusta County, she was a daughter of Helen Louise Vaught. She was a graduate of Churchville High School. On April 20, 1957 she married Clay Donald “Pete” Lovegrove, and they enjoyed 68 years together.
Shirley retired from Community Bank as vice president after 25 years of service. She was a devoted member of St. James United Methodist Church and loved her church family dearly. She served the church in numerous capacities throughout her life, including 54 years as a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed serving on administrative council and participating in youth group activities, Bible school, missions, hospitality, and kitchen duties – wherever there was a need. She was a member of United Methodist Women in Faith for 60 years. In addition to work and church life, she was an avid gardener, antique enthusiast (especially glassware), and busy crafter. She, along with her daughter and special friends, created and marketed primitive crafts through their business, “Country Pleasures,” for 25 years. Shirley was dedicated to her community and to those in need. She was always cooking and visiting shut-ins and those suffering loss or illness. She was committed to showing the love of Christ to her community through her actions. She served as a volunteer at H.E.L.P. and at AARP Tax Aide.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Nancy Vaught Catlett and husband Gene, brothers-in-law Fred Lovegrove and wife Ramona, and Eugene Lovegrove and wife Norine; and sister-in-law Shirley Huntley Jesse and her first husband, Leo Huntley, and second husband, Bill Jesse.
In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by two children, Keith Lovegrove (Barbara) and Jennifer Rexrode (Mike); grandchildren Meghan Rexrode Smith (Tyler), Jonathan Coffey (Tanya), and Nathan Coffey (Bethany); great-grandchildren Landon, Laura, Jackson and Levi Coffey; nieces and nephews Regina Griffin (Danny), Rhonda Richie (Chuck), Robin Thomas (Joe), Rita Wimmer (Horace), David Vaught, Daryl Catlett, Alan Dale Huntley (Robin), and Michelle McBride (Lee); and special friends Sharon Falls, Steven Wimer and Yvonne Quick.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (March 14) in St. James United Methodist Church, 3777 Churchville Ave., Churchville, officiated by Pastor Lester Kennedy. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Alan Dale Huntley, Tyler Smith, Danny Griffin, Daryl Catlett, Horace Wimmer, David Vaught, and Chuck Richie. Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Wimer, Joe Thomas, Lee McBride, Tom Rose, Jim Berry and Eddie Wood.
The family will receive friends at the residence from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13.
Memorials may be directed to St. James United Methodist Church, PO Box 43, Churchville, VA 24421.
Bear Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.
