William Orval "John" Loving

He lived to be 92 years old. He was very proud to be the oldest living Loving in his family genealogy records.

Born September 2, 1932, to the late Frederick William Loving and Sophia Susan Bowen Loving at Polemic Run, Nicholas County WV.

Besides his parents he was also predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marvine Gay McCallister Johnson Loving; His Siblings: Anna Belva Ashley Cox, Burgess Orion Ashley, James Okey Loving, Della Ernestine Loving Cox, Delsa Evalene Loving Bryant, Jean Loving McMillion, Dottie Evelyn Loving Nutter, Charles Lee Loving, David Allen Loving, Daniel Ray Loving, Samual Fredrick Loving and stepsons Mark Edward Johnson (Kathy) and Timothy Joe Johnson.

 He leaves behind to cherish his memories and honor his life, his daughters Patti Alexander (Aaron), Valerie Melton (Scott), stepson Mike Johnson (Margaret), & Kathy Johnson, widow of Mark: sisters Linda Loving Phelps, & Mary Lou Loving Sparrow. His grandchildren Monica Higginbotham, Jason Lawrence, Bowman Alexander, Sophie Alexander, Nikki Roach (Mathew), Jesse Brannon (Shane), and step grandchildren Angel Tygrett, (Eric), Heather Hill, (Johnny), Jeremy Johnson, Heath Johnson, & Jennifer Freeman; great grandchildren Addison Higginbotham, Jack Loar, Genny Roach, Malcolm Roach, Lainey Melton-Caudill, & Carter Branham; step great grandchildren: Steven Tygrett, Erica Tygrett, Halley Fogarty & Lacie Fogarty.  His nieces & nephews were also very special to him and he loved them with all his heart.

He was a great performer in many venues.  He was always happy to tell stories about his life growing up and would sit and share his tales with anyone who would listen. He always cherished his family. His favorite line was that our house was like a 3-ring circus!!! There was always something going on! He was raised in a musical family, singing gospels with his brothers and sisters, and that music background took him to years’ worth of singing and playing music around WV, Kentucky, Ohio and many other cities and towns all around. He played guitar, mandolin, & bass guitar proficiently.  He and Marvine made a great pair in both marriage and music.  They sang and performed together for more than 51 years, first in his band, John Loving and the Country Lovers, and later as an Appalachian folk singing duo with him playing the guitar and her playing the autoharp. They professionally performed WV heritage style music at 25 consecutive Vandalia Gatherings at the WV State Capitol.  He performed on the Buddy Starcher Show and the Sleepy Jeffers show on multiple occasions.  One of his most prideful times was introducing Kathy Mattea to playing a 12 String guitar while she was a student in Junior High school. He played with several state champion fiddle players throughout his life, and was known to call square dances from WV to Texas and other states in his young adult age. He and Marvine recorded several albums throughout their musical career.

His family is so very appreciative of the wonderful care he received at Brookdale Charleston Gardens over the past three years.  He was able to thrive with a new audience. 

We also want to thank the medical professionals at WVU Medicine/Thomas Hospital for the loving care given to him in his last few days.

Because we are entering the holiday season, knowing that friends and family have plans in place to celebrate with their loved ones, we are having a private family burial in the Loving family cemetery at Polemic Run.  There will be a memorial service at a later date so we can all gather to celebrate Dad’s life with us.  For those who wish to memorialize Dad in some manner, please consider a donation for a musical purpose.  He will love that.

White-Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Center at Summersville is in charge of the arrangements.

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