Clyde Lee Lovell, Jr.

Clyde Lee Lovell, Jr., 83, passed away on October 23, 2026. He was born on April 24, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Clyde L. Lovell, Sr., and Beulah Farrell Curtis Lovell. A good ol’ country boy at heart, Clyde was a hardworking man with a strong spirit, a straightforward way about him, and a heart big enough to make room for everyone.

Clyde grew up on his grandpa’s farm, where he learned the value of hard work and developed a toughness that stayed with him throughout his life. He carried that same work ethic into his career, running a commercial contract flooring business "Lovell & Son" alongside his son, Clyde Lee Lovell III. He took pride in his work and believed in doing things right. He was a no-nonsense kind of man who said what he meant and got straight to the point, but beneath that tough exterior was a man who cared deeply about the people around him.

Clyde never met a stranger. He had a way of making people feel welcome, included, and like they belonged. To him, nobody was to be left out or left behind. Whether you had known him for years or had just met him, he made room for you. That was simply who he was, and it was one of the many things that made him special.

Above all else, Clyde was a family man. He loved his family with everything in him, and he made sure they never had to wonder how much they meant to him. His love for his wives, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family was a constant throughout his life. Family was not just important to Clyde; it was at the center of everything he did.

When he wasn't working, Clyde was happiest outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and skiing, and if there was an opportunity to head to the lake, he was ready to go. The lake was his home away from home, a place where he could enjoy the things he loved most and make memories with the people who mattered to him. He also never lost his connection to his farming roots. He loved his cows, even when they didn't seem to love him back, and he had a special place in his heart for his tractor. He was a tough man who knew how to work hard, but he also knew how to enjoy life.

Later in life, Clyde and Ann Warren Caldwell enjoyed traveling together and seeing the country. Their adventures took them to places like Mount Rushmore, the Smoky Mountains, and the Arctic Circle. They even made three trips to Alaska. These travels allowed them to experience new places, share adventures, and build memories that would last a lifetime.

Clyde's faith was another important part of his life. He was a longtime member of Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church and loved the Lord. Throughout the years, he taught Sunday school and served as a youth director at several churches. He took young people on numerous trips, helping them grow closer to the Lord while creating memories they could carry with them for years to come. His investment in those young lives was another reflection of his heart for people and his desire to make a difference.

Clyde lived life on his own terms. He worked hard, spoke plainly, loved deeply, and never forgot where he came from. He leaves behind more than a lifetime of memories; he leaves the example of a man who stood by his family, welcomed others as his own, and made sure the people around him knew they mattered. He will be remembered for his strength, his faith, his love of the outdoors, and the unmistakable way he made people feel like they belonged. He was a good man, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Clyde leaves his memory to be cherished by his wife of 23 years, Ann Warren Caldwell; his children, Clyde Lee Lovell III (Helen) and Stephanie DeSio (Matt); his grandchildren, Hannah and Caleb Lovell; his great-grandchildren, Waylin, Emma, and Jaxson Lovell; his twin sister, Carol Shaw; his sister and Trish Knoedl (Mike); his bonus children, Wayne Caldwell (Melinda) and Tanya Hayes (Buck); 10 bonus grandchildren; 21 bonus great-grandchildren; and a host of close family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Louise Croy Lovell, and his parents, Clyde Lovell, Sr., and Beulah Farrell Curtis Lovell.

Clyde's life will be honored on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, Arkansas. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Ida Mission Cemetery, 19020 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society and the Pulaski Co. Humane Society.