Kent Emerson Lovelace, Jr.

Kent Emerson Lovelace, Jr., passed away December 12, 2025, in Gulfport, MS, at the age of 89. Kent was an honorable and steadfast husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was always charming, witty, and above all, fiercely loyal.

Kent spent his childhood in Indianola, MS, with a large, extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He especially loved hunting and fishing in the Delta with his uncles, cousins, friends, and their beloved dogs. He was graduated from Indianola High School where he excelled in football and attained All-American High School status. He was awarded a scholarship to play football at Ole Miss and was Captain of the team in 1958. Under Coach John Vaught, the team won three major bowl games: the 1956 Cotton Bowl, 1957 Sugar Bowl, and the 1958 Gator Bowl. The team’s camaraderie forged Kent’s life-long friends and relationships. In the introduction to his dear friend and teammate, Charlie Flowers’ eulogy, Kent wrote: “To Ole Miss and all She introduced me to-the gals, the guys, my teammates, fraternity brothers, the pride, the camaraderie and the esprit de corps-all of which manifests the unique result that evolves in sustaining Ole Miss as a special Band of Brothers.” The Band of Brothers loved Ole Miss so much, so they referred to their time there as being in Camelot. Kent was affectionately called the “Delta Flyer” for his acumen as a halfback by his teammates and friends. Hotty Toddy! At Ole Miss, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the M Club, and ROTC. He later became a reserve commissioned officer grade of First Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Kent began his career in the mortgage banking business in Memphis, TN, then continued his career after moving to Gulfport in 1962. It is there that he met Cheryl Anne Haynie whom he married in June of 1965. He served as President of Hancock Mortgage Corporation which he founded in partnership with the Hancock Bank and afterwards started Equitrust Mortgage Corporation. Kent was also involved in real estate development in Indianola, the MS Gulf Coast, Florida, and New Orleans. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport Gridiron Club, the Boston Club in New Orleans, the Young Presidents’ Organization, and the World Presidents’ Organization. Kent was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and served on the Vestry as Senior Warden helping to rebuild the church after Hurricane Camille.

Kent is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cheryl Ann Haynie Lovelace; his daughter, Margaret Alden Lovelace Lagasse (Emeril, III); their children, Emeril John Lagasse, IV; and Meril Lovelace Lagasse; his son, Kent Emerson Lovelace, III; and his children, Caroline Elizabeth Lovelace, and Emerson Lux Lovelace, and his sister Martha Lovelace Pietri. (Jack).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kent Emerson Lovelace, Sr.; his mother, Mary Louise Early Lovelace; and his brother Everett Dewitt Lovelace.

Although Kent lived in Gulfport for more than 60 years, he never lost his love for Indianola or his Delta charm. On Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:00am, services will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Indianola, MS, which his great-grandfather, Joseph Holmes Baker, and his grandfather, William Richards Early, were instrumental in organizing in 1904. Interment will be in the Lovelace family plot in Indianola City Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Gulfport, MS, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 11:00am with visitation in the Parish Hall following the service. 

The family requests that donations be made to either St. Stephen’s in Indianola, St. Mark’s in Gulfport, or the charity of your choice.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport and Boone Funeral Home, Indianola are honored to serve the family of Kent Emerson Lovelace, Jr.