Leonard Reid Lovelace

WEAVERVILLE - Leonard Reid Lovelace, age 94 became a member of the Heavenly Choir on October 31, 2015. He was born in Canton on December 1, 1920 to Leonard Reid Lovelace, Sr. and Ida Wallace Lovelace. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dan Wallace Lovelace of Virginia Beach, VA. He graduated from Mars Hill College with a degree in Business Administration and attended Wake Forest University until entering the Army in 1942, spending three years in England. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he attended Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary earning a degree in accounting. At RPI he met his future wife Lillian "Billie" Phillips of Asheville. After graduation, he returned to Asheville and married his beloved Billie on November 24, 1948. An excellent accountant and office manager, he retired from Community Coal and Lumber Company in 1982. Reid loved music and was an accomplished musician playing the guitar, saxophone, clarinet and several other instruments which made him a valuable member of his Army band. He also had a beautiful voice, singing in many local church choirs. He was a member of Newbridge Baptist Church. Golf was his outdoor passion, yard work was definitely not! Affectionately known as Bop and Biddie by family members and friends, this loving couple lived for 62 years in the home they built in Lake View Park in North Asheville. The couple moved to Hamburg Crossing in Weaverville in 2013. Surviving are his wife of 67 years Billie "Biddie"; son, Kenneth P. Lovelace (Mary Beth) of Asheville; daughter, Betsy Galyean of Weaverville; three grandchildren, Mathew Lovelace (Tabitha) of Easley, SC, Brian Lovelace of Greenville, SC, and Deigh Galyean of Weaverville; two great grandchildren, Jackson and Ava Lovelace of Easley; sister, Rachael Mitchell of Canton; sister in law, Glenda Lovelace of Virginia Beach, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Bop was a super dad, a wonderful husband and an inspiration to the grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed. The family extends sincere appreciation to the staff at the NC State Veterans Home in Black Mountain for their wonderful care. Special thanks to Ginger. A graveside celebration of his life will be held at Lewis Memorial Park on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Clark Henderson officiating. Memorials may be made to Newbridge Baptist Church, BAFC fund, 199 Elkwood Ave., Asheville, NC 28804. West Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Lovelace's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. A graveside celebration of his life will be held at Lewis Memorial Park on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Clark Henderson officiating. Memorials may be made to Newbridge Baptist Church, BAFC fund, 199 Elkwood Ave., Asheville, NC 28804.