Grove Community Remembers Life Of Beloved Teacher

A beloved teacher of more than 30 years in Grove has passed away. Those who knew Lisa Lovelady said she inspired joy through her love of music and playing the piano.

She died after falling and hitting her head at home on Sunday.

Family and friends said Lovelady truly inspired everyone she met, sharing her gift of music with the world, and teaching students in Grove for three decades. Lovelady got the most joy sitting at a piano, teaching a child how to play.

"She sang at weddings, funerals," said Emily Reed, Lovelady’s daughter.

Reed said Lovelady loved her kids and grandkids and had been married to her husband Steve for 36 years. Reed said her mom was the definition of putting others before herself, and she was famous for her homemade cinnamon rolls and lasagna.

"She loved to cook for people," Reed said. "Her hospitality was one of a kind, and she wanted people happy all of the time."

Lovelady was a 1st grade teacher at Grove Public Schools for 25 years and has spent the last decade teaching music to elementary school students. Her son, Kyle Lovelady, said his mom's impact was noticed by kids every year at graduation.

"One of them would say, my favorite teacher was Mrs. Lovelady," Kyle said.

Lovelady's passion was her students. She applied for and received grants year after year, to make sure kids got the best supplies and the school even recognized her with a shining star award recently.

Reed said losing her mom so suddenly in a freak accident has been devastating. Lovelady was only 56.

"One day at a time," Reed said. "We have a great support system; the entire school community has taken care of us."

Grove Public Schools held a distance learning day Tuesday to give students and staff time to grieve. The superintendent said there is a crisis team ready to help.

The funeral is set for Saturday at the Grove Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. 

They are taking donations for Lovelady’s family to the Grove Education Foundation for Excellence. You can donate here.