LOVETT, Erma Odessa

Erma Odessa Lovett (Island), was born November 14, 1915, in Edgewood, Texas, to Isaac Island, Sr. and Wordie Ella Island. She was the ninth child in a family of ten children. Erma died on January 1, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona. Erma arrived in Phoenix with her father in 1921. Erma's father is considered one of the Black Pioneers in Arizona, having first arrived in 1918. Erma grew up in Phoenix where she attended both elementary and high school. At an early age, she married Ollie Syas. She later divorced and married George Lovett. Later she became his widow, and so remained until her death. Erma lived with and took care of her father until he passed in 1957. Erma lived alone until 2003 where she moved into the Capri Care Center due to poor health. During her stay at Capri Care Center she was visited frequently by her grand-nephew Rodney Grimes, Sr. Erma had an unwavering passion for Jesus Christ, and she was a committed member and considered an Honorable Mother in the First Pentecostal Church in Phoenix. She attended First Pentecostal Church regularly until poor health kept her from attending. Whenever you would leave her, she would always say "May God bless you real good". Her brother Joe Island of Camarillo, CA, and her nephew Otha B. Grimes, Sr. of Phoenix survive her. She also leaves over 50 grand and great nieces/nephews, and numerous friends here in the Phoenix area to mourn her passing. Erma Lovett's sister Leona, was the Mother and Grandmother of the Grimes Family here in Phoenix, and we all feel the great loss of her passing. Funeral services were held at First Pentecostal Church at 2701 E. Marguerite Ave., Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday, January 10, 2004. Arrangements by Webbers Eastlake Mortuary, with Internment at Greenwood Cemetery. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/8-9/2004.