Lovern, Juanita Martin

Juanita Martin Lovern, 80, of Dublin, went home to be with Jesus on February 27, 2010 at Radford Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Goldbond, Va. on November 14, 1929 to the late Robert Frederick and Maude Niece Martin. She was preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, Roy Garfield Lovern, as well as one son, Gerald Alvis Lovern and a granddaughter, Brandi Michele Lovern. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Junior and Curtis Martin, and three sisters, Gladys Shaver, Agatha Sanders and Lila Mae Niece. She retired from Dublin Garment after 32 years of service, and had been a member of French’s Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church for fifty years. She was forever faithful to the Lord. Although the disease took away most of her memories, she never forgot the Lord’s Prayer and would recite it every evening before bedtime. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Roy Gary Lovern and wife, Maxine, of Fayetteville, N.C. and Donnie Gene Lovern and wife, Zetta, of Dublin; as well as two daughters, Peggy Lovern Mills and Carolyn Lovern Perdue, both of Dublin. She also leaves behind ten loving grandchildren, Heather, Anna, Jacqueline, Tanya, Shannon, Michael, Amy, Derek, Christina and Nicky; as well as thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also left to remember her fondly are two brothers, Jimmy Martin and wife, Dolly, of Pearisburg and Kermit Martin, of Radford; and four sisters, Susie Merrix and Marie Snider, of Pearisburg, Bonnie Robertson and husband, Felix, of Radford and Linda Perkins and husband, Buster, of Pearisburg; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Mother was truly a spiritual inspiration to all, who knew her and she sincerely believed in the power of prayer. Never did a night pass without her being on her knees beside her bed praying for all her children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and her church family and friends. For many years she remembered every name and every need. The family would like to take this time to thank all of the wonderful staff at Radford Heath and Rehab, as well as the doctors and nurses at NRV Medical Center ER and Medical Care Unit and Carilion Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and professional dedication while caring for our Mother. God Bless you. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at French’s Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. David Wood and the Rev. Billy Akers officiating. Burial in the Newbern Cemetery, Dublin. The visitation will be Tuesday at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asked you to consider donations in mother’s name to Carilion Hospice of Radford, VA or the National Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in hopes of a cure being found for this terrible disease. The family will meet and receive friends for a celebration of Mom’s life at the home of granddaughter, Amy Hoback, 5897 Jewell Ave., Dublin, VA after the service. Arrangements by A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate.