John M. "Pete" Lovette

Mr. John M. “Pete” Lovette, passed away on May 21st, 2024, at Wilkes Health and Rehab. Born on May 29th, 1934, Pete was the middle child born to Charlie Odell and Ila Ruth Bumgarner Lovette of the Millers Creek Community of Wilkes County. The family lived on a farm where the values of hard work, faith, and honesty were instilled in him at a very young age. A family and friends service will be held at Wilkesboro Baptist Church on June 2nd, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Dr. Chris Hefner and the Reverend Alfred Andrews will be in charge of the service. The family will receive at Scenic Memorial Gardens following the service. 

In addition to his parents, Ruth and Charlie Lovette, Pete was preceded in death by his brother, Fred Lovette, and wife Margaret, sister, Bonnie Lovette Rhodes and husband Frank, brother, Rex Lovette and wife Claudine, brother, Billy Wade Lovette, brother, Blake Lovette and wife Julia, and brother, Gene Allen Lovette. 

Pete was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Everhart Lovette, of 67 years, daughter, Lynn Lovette Sazama, and son, Mark Alan Lovette and wife Lynn Phillips Lovette. He is survived by granddaughter, Laura Sazama Stringfellow and husband Spencer, grandsons Patrick Bryan Sazama, John Phillips Lovette and wife Nancy Lauer, Charles Benfield Lovette and wife Melanie, and great granddaughter, Josie Anne. He is survived by sisters-in-laws Carol Lovette Lowe, Betsy Lovette, and Jenny Lovette. He is survived by nieces, Camille Eller and husband Bob, Lena Lovette, Ashley Lovette, and Anyea Lovette, Kim Lovette, Lisa Sloop, Sena Lovette-Crafton, Angie Ware, Amy Lankford, Gina Lovette and nephews Lane Lovette, Bill Lovette, and Allen Lovette. He is survived by many Lovette and Bumgarner cousins and many dear friends.  

After graduating from Millers Creek High School and Appalachian State University with honors, Pete joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1956. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He was commissioned as an officer with the rank of Ensign. He ended his military service as an Administrative Officer for PHIBCB One, USNAB, San Diego, California. Among his further training was Military Justice and Amphibious Warfare Indoctrination following his active tour of duty, he was a member of the Standby reserve as a Lieutenant until he was discharged in 1967. 

Wilma and Pete were married at Home Moravian Church in Old Salem in May 1957 and went immediately to Coronado, California to serve his active duty. Wilma was a school teacher in Coronado. Pete completed additional college credits at San Diego State University.  Following his military duty, he joined his Lovette family in the operation of Holly Farms Poultry and later Tyson Foods in Wilkesboro. He jokingly told everyone that he was a chicken catcher, yet retired as Vice President and Treasurer and on the Executive Committee of Holly Farms. He was in charge of Military Sales and distribution for Tyson Foods. Pete often told of his young life on Pleasant Home Church Road were his father gave him the responsibility of care for baby chickens. He oversaw the moving of the first broiler house from the family farm to the Wilkes Heritage Museum. 

As part of his service to others: he taught 12 years in Sunday School to the 12th graders at Wilkesboro Baptist Church; was in charge of a Bible Study for the Men of Wilkesboro Baptist Church; served as a Board of Trustee member of Wake Forest University for 8 years; served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention and headed the finance committee; serviced 4 years on the Board of Directors of the NC Agriculture Committee at the request of Commissioner Jim Graham; served 20 years as treasurer on the Endowment Board of Wilkes Community College; received the honor of Deacon Emeritus at Wilkesboro Baptist Church after serving 50 years as a Deacon; was Grand Marshall with wife, Wilma and brother Blake Lovette, of the Wilkes Christmas Parade; Board of Poultry Institute of America and NC Poultry Processors Association; Board of National Broiler Council; Board of Wilkes YMCA; Board of Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission; Proud of four “Holes in One: in golf and played for 50 years as a member and President of Oakwoods Country Club; Board of Directors at First Citizens Bank; Received the honor of being inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Dan Moore in 1966. 

Pete enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, golfing, and riding his bicycle. He will be missed by all who knew him.  Thank you for being a part of Pete's Life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilkesboro Baptist Church, PO Box 61, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, 717 Marshall Street, Suite 105B, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.