Nellie Odessa Lovelace

Nellie Odessa (Jackson) Lovelace, 83, of Belton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at her home in Belton surrounded by her family.

No services are planned at this time.

Odessa was born on October 31, 1942 in Grand Ridge, Florida to Fred J.and Altha (King) Jackson. She was raised in Grand Ridge and graduated High School from Grand Ridge, went on to Chipola Jr. College, then to Mary Hardin Baylor for her Bachelor's degree and finally to Baylor University where she received her Master's degree. Mrs. Lovelace met Thomas Lovelace in 1960 and they later married on September 13, 1962 in Donaldsville, Georgia. Odessa worked for Belton I.S.D. as a Special Education teacher and a Diagnostician .

Odessa loved music as a young girl and she played the piano for her church; it seemed as though the music flowed naturally from her heart. Later she shared her beautiful singing voice with the Sweet Adelines for many years .

Odessa had a gift for teaching, but more importantly, she had a gift for loving children who needed someone to believe in them. She never saw limitations, she saw possibilities.

Odessa and Tom made their home in Belton. Together they planted a pecan orchard that grew along with their family. They cared for several varieties of pecan trees, harvested them each year, and proudly sold them as Lovelace Pecans. The orchard reflected who they were - patient, faithful and willing to work hard for something that would bless others.

Every spring Odessa and Tom would plant a large garden . They enjoyed watching it grow, gathering fresh vegetables, and filling their freezer so they could enjoy the harvest through the winter.

Odessa was an excellent cook, and no one ever left her home hungry. Everything she did reflected the care she had for the people she loved. Her house was spotless, welcoming and filled with love. She and Tom raised two wonderful sons, Sammy and Tommy were the pride of her life. Sammy and his wife Nickie blessed her with two grandsons, Tommy and his wife Kathy gave her a granddaughter and a grandson, and watching her family grow brought Odessa endless joy.

She is preceded in death by her three brothers, her parents and daughter-in- law Kathy Lovelace.

She is survived by her husband Tom, two sisters Mary Cleo Edenfield of Florida and Hilda Marie Goodson also of Florida, her sons Sam and Tommy, and Daughter-in-law Nickie, four grandchildren: KalIie, Tucker, Logan and Garrett, and one great grandson Jackson Lovelace.