James Neal Love

Rev. James Neal Love went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 8, 2018. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, January 19, 1930, and moved to Prattville, Alabama in 1936, which he considered to be his hometown. The service is to be conducted by Reverend Robert H. Zannini, his step-son of Lafayette, Louisiana, and by long-time friend Reverend Lester Spencer of St. James United Methodist Church of Montgomery. The service will be held at Prattville Memorial Chapel in Prattville, Alabama on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be on Tuesday at Prattville Memorial from 12:00 until 1:45 p.m. He was preceded in death by his father, Oakley Neal Love and his mother Jeanette Gray (Love) Watkins, brothers, John Wesley Love and Thomas Ellison Watkins and sister Norma Jeanette Rollan. He leaves behind his loving wife and best friend, Edna Hennigar Love; four precious daughters, Kathryn (Michael) McMaken, Janice Love (Peter Sederberg), Angela Love (Terri Ann Rushing), Melanie (Edward) Smith; seven beloved step-children, Robert (Amanda) Zannini, John (Cathryn) Zannini, Sharon (Alan) Gurley, Ronald (Rebekah) Zannini, Cheryl (Charles) Platt, Giavanna (George) Griffin, Maria (Mark) Smith; Sisters Margie Lee Evans and Samye Watkins Kermish. He had 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchldren. Rev. Love graduated with a B.A. from Huntingdon College in 1953, and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in 1956. He was a United Methodist pastor in the AL/West FL Conference for 42 years. While in that capacity, he served as the Assistant Director of the Conference Council on Ministries for four years. Rev. Love also served on Board of Ordained Ministries, both at district and conference levels. One of his greatest joys was to have been instrumental in bringing the Emmaus Walk to the AL/W FL, South Georgia, and West Virginia Conferences. He was the first Spiritual Director in the Blue Lake Emmaus Walk Community and served as Spiritual Director of the Kentucky Emmaus Community in Lexington. In addition to his involvement with the Emmaus Walk Boards, he was spiritual director for numerous Emmaus Walks, Chrysalis, Journeys, Kairos and Epiphany teams. Rev. Love was particularly pleased to have had the privilege of serving his country as a Naval Reserve Chaplain, having retired after twenty years at the rank of Commander. It has often been said by those who knew Jim Love that he had an appropriate name—LOVE, a name he certainly lived up to. He was a love to all who knew him. There will be a little less love here on earth with his departure. His family invites you to celebrate his life and his home-going. He has requested that any contributions be given to the Alzheimer's Foundation.

James Neal Love

January 19, 1930 - December 8, 2018