R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home | Memphis, TN

Obituary For Lovie Person

LOVIE PERSON was born January 11, 1922 in Decatur, AL, daughter of Rev. Eria J. Cosby and Earline Batts Cosby. She quietly and peacefully entered heavenly rest on January 7, 2021 at her home. Her mother, Earline Batts Cosby, passed when she was only seven years old, and a maternal uncle, Carey Batts, Sr., and his wife, Henrietta Batts became her guardians, raising her as their own daughter under the Batts name. The family moved from Alabama to Arkansas around 1930 where she attended the Arkansas Public Schools in Deckerville, AR. In 1940, she married Steve Person and after the end of the marriage Lovie moved to Memphis, TN. She later added to her family seven other children. After working several different jobs, she was employed by the Federal Bakery in downtown Memphis. Her personal cakes were so good she would get orders from family, church members and friends. Some of the favorites were pineapple upside down cake, caramel cake, coconut cake and butter roll. She even baked and sold cakes to the Cupboard Restaurant on Union Avenue. Yeah, she was good! An amazing cook, Sunday dinners were at her home where family and friends were always welcome. The food never seemed to run out no matter how many showed up. She made cooking and feeding people. look easy. Her talents did not stop with her cooking and baking, Lovie had a true green thumb and received “Yard of the Month” on many occasions. Flowers in the yard were beautiful and, often, passersby would stop and ask if they could have a “piece” of a plant. Accepting Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, Mother Person was a long-time member of the St. Jude M.B. Church where she served on the Usher Board, Missionary Society and as a member of the Mother Board. She loved the Lord, her Pastor, and members of St. Jude Missionary Baptist Church. Always stressing the importance of education, she completed the Adult Basic Education Program and received her GED from the Memphis Adult High School in 1982. She was 60 years old at the time. She was an active member of the Chandler Neighborhood Association, completed and was certified by the American Red Cross Home Nursing Program in 1988, and was also a graduate of the Memphis Police Department’s Ambassador Program. She also had the opportunity to compete on the TV game show “The Price Is Right” and actually won. She loved traveling and visited places like the Grand Canyon, Hawaii and even Paris, France. She is preceded in death by one daughter, Jennifer G. Walker; 4 grandchildren: Keith Barrett, Jodie Batts, Shannon Gathright, and Gabrielle Harris; one son-in-law, Jessie Lee Bolton; and one daughter-in-law, Geraldine Batts. Left to remember her in love are her children: Eunice Bolton, Ozell (Margaret) Person, Wardell Batts, Harrison (Bobbie Jean) Barrett, Valerie G. Turner, Gwenda (Al) Hudson, Irvan Gilstrap, and Sharon (Michael) Taylor, all of Memphis, TN; 3 sisters: Dorothy Cosby Erby of Wisconsin, Elsie Maye Cosby and Evelyn Faye Cosby Hill, both of California. 17 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: Tuesday January 12, 2021 4:00-6:00p @ RS Lewis Walnut Grove Service: Wednesday January 13, 2021 @ 10a RS Lewis Walnut Grove Chapel Services will be Live-streamed

Guest Book

Mama Person was a beautiful soul. She always welcomed me into her family from the first day we met. We remained in touch sporadically over the years, but I always felt like she was my friend for life whenever we spoke. My prayers are with the family as they deal with their loss. Blessings!

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We will continue to keep the family in our prayers. We Love you Bro. and Sis Barrett. Pastor Dexter F Hoskins and Sis. Debbie Hoskins. Holy Temple Church Of Faith/ Memphis, TN

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home | Memphis, TN