Marie S. Lovitt, of Jackson, died Feb. 28, 2011, at ManhattanNursing and Rehabilitation Center following a lengthyillness.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, from 5 until 7 p.m.at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway inRidgeland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. RichardCatholic Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, with visitationfrom 9 to 10 a.m. Burial will be in Orange Cemetery inPachuta.

Mrs. Lovitt was born in Brookhaven on March 26, 1922, the daughterof Gussie Reese Schwem and Edward Daniel Schwem. She was a graduateof Brookhaven High School, where she was chosen “Best Liked Girl”her senior year, and Whitworth College, where she was editor of theschool newspaper. She treasured her friendships with her Brookhavengirlfriends throughout the years.

Mrs. Lovitt married her beloved “Charlie Mac” in 1944. Much to hergreat shock and immense sadness, he was killed in Prum, Germany,during WWII, leaving her with a newborn daughter. Her love for himwas unconditional and she continued to honor and respect himthroughout her life.

Following his death, she resided in Natchez with her parents whereshe began her career teaching kindergarten at St. Mary’s CatholicCathedral. After eight years in Natchez, she moved to Jackson toteach kindergarten at St. Richard Catholic School, where sheremained for 39 wonderful years. Teaching was never a job to her,but a ministry to serve the children that she taught. She madelearning fun and exciting and was the essence of patience andkindness with her young students. St. Richard School and herstudents were the joy of her life.

Following her retirement in 1994, she volunteered her time at St.Richard Catholic Church under the direction of her close friend,Betty Dimitry. Mrs. Lovitt loved the Lord Jesus and her Catholicfaith. She continued to receive the Eucharist until near herdeath.

On most mornings one would find Mrs. Lovitt having breakfast withthe “Breakfast Club” at the Krystal. She was seen around Jacksonwith her walking cane covered with flowers and always looking fornew friends with whom to engage in conversation. She will beremembered for her smile, sweet spirit and love of family,especially children.

“NeNe,” as she was known to her grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren, enjoyed many family vacations, schoolfunctions, and trips to Little Rock and MSU football. She wasalways the “Life of the Party” at family gatherings and picnics.Her great joy in recent years was the birth of her threegreat-grandchildren. She considered them as special gifts fromGod.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pvt. Charles McCallLovitt Jr., of Pachuta; her parents, Gussie and Ed Schwem; hersister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Jimmy Shell, her sister,Edwanna Decell; and her dear mother-in-law, Lola D. Lovitt.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Mike Hart;grandson, Doug Hart; granddaughter and her husband, Kristy andDavid Morris; and great-grandchildren Austin Hart, Kathryn Morrisand Lindsey Morris. She is also survived by her brother-in-law,Bill Decell; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Richard CatholicSchool, 100 Holly Drive, Jackson, MS 39206.