Valdon Leroy Lovett, Sr.

Valdon Leroy Lovett, Sr

May 26, 1932 - April 16, 2025

After a short stay at Hospice Haven in Rockingham, Valdon Leroy Lovett, Sr. passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 16, 2025. 

Valdon was born in Paducah, KY and was the son of the late Auldon M Lovett and Lillian M Lovett. The family moved to Wadesboro when he was five, and he lived there for the rest of his life. He would talk about the fun adventures he shared with family and friends, including fishing, swimming in creeks, playing capture the flag until dark, and fish fries at the river. 

During high school he worked at the Ansonia Theater and often spoke fondly of those times. After graduating from Wadesboro High School in 1950, he worked in textiles, construction, and ultimately at Duff Norton - where he retired with more than 30 years of service making parts for electric hoists. At Duff Norton Val made many friends and was known as quite the jokester.

 Val met the love of his life, Miriam Sellers, playing horseshoes at a neighbors home. They eloped to South Carolina in November 1950 and began building their life together. This included having their first two children and purchasing their lifelong home. A few years later their third child was born and their family was complete. 

Val was a caring husband and would say marrying Miriam was the smartest thing he ever did. He was a great dad who made sure all his children knew how to hammer a nail, change a tire, and shoot a gun. And he was an even better “Pop” to his grandchildren, teaching each to properly bait a hook, with the cricket sitting just right on the bend. 

Val’s love language was Acts of Service. Whether this was helping Miriam prepare to host a get together, cleaning for his aging mother, helping a friend repair a lawnmower, or giving someone a ride, it was during these times he felt like he was fulfilling his purpose.

If you ever spent any time with him, you know Val loved to laugh. He was always telling stories and jokes, or pulling pranks. No one was safe if he could find a long blade of grass and a distracted victim. He would stay out of eyesight, barely tickling the back of an ear or elbow to make the person think they were being pestered by a relentless insect. Then he would laugh hysterically when they caught him. And it wasn’t Thanksgiving unless he could tell someone his turkey recall joke. This was usually an unsuspecting stranger at the store. Even in his final days when a nurse or aide asked if he needed anything, the answer was often “a cold beer”.

 Valdon is survived by a son, Valdon Lovett Jr. (Kathy) of Taylors, SC; two daughters, Sissie L. Childress (Marion Godwin) of Columbia, SC and Conne L. Bridenbaugh (David) of Apex, NC; five grandchildren, Daniel Lovett, Vallari Lovett, Nikki Childress, Davis Bridenbaugh, and Rebecca Bridenbaugh; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Valdon was preceeded in death by his wife of 67 years, Miriam Sellers Lovett; three brothers Auldon M Lovett, Jr, Gerald Lovett, and Larry Lovett; and a sister, Dawn Lovett Hill. 

The family would like to recognize the staff at Anson Health and Rehab, Atrium Health and Hospice Haven of Richmond County for the care provided over the past few weeks. And offer a special thank you to Allen and Joyce Burns for their friendship and support.

 Please honor Val’s memory by helping someone, spending time with family & friends, and laughing.

Following a private internment at Anson Memorial Park, the family welcomes friends to join them for a Celebration of Life, Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at 509 Lakeview Drive, Wadesboro, NC.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com