George Lovelace

George Earl Lovelace (September 18, 1936 – March 22, 2020) was a United States Army officer and politician. He was a member of the town council of Vienna, Virginia for 21 years, and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for 1 year. He was the first African American member of the Virginia General Assembly elected in Northern Virginia since Reconstruction.

George Lovelace
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 35th district
In office
January 1, 1997 – January 14, 1998
Preceded byRichard L. Fisher
Succeeded byJeannemarie Devolites
Personal details
Born(1936-09-18)September 18, 1936[1]
Evansville, Indiana[1]
DiedMarch 22, 2020(2020-03-22) (aged 83)
Locust Grove, VA
Political partyDemocratic[1]
Spouse(s)Donalda M. Lovelace
ChildrenDawn Klemann and Donalda L. Lovelace
Alma materLincoln University
George Washington University

Education and military career

Lovelace graduated from Lincoln University in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in physics.[1] He then served in the US Army's Signal Corps until his retirement in 1979 at the rank of Lieutenant colonel.[2] Additionally, Lovelace received a master's degree from George Washington University.[3]

Political career

Lovelace was first elected to the Vienna, Virginia town council in 1982, serving until 1996. In November 1996, incumbent state delegate Richard L. Fisher resigned mid-term, triggering a December special election.[4] Lovelace was the Democratic nominee for the remainder of the term, facing Republican Mike Polychrones, a former legislative aide to Fisher. Lovelace prevailed by a 51% to 45% margin.[5] In the 1997 general election, Lovelace was defeated by Republican candidate Jeannemarie Devolites by a 51% to 47% margin.[6] Lovelace ran for the seat again in the 1999 election and was defeated again.[7]

From 2003 to 2010 Lovelace again served on the Vienna town council. Lovelace was also an at large board member of the Fairfax County Park Authority from 2004 onwards.[8] In 2006 Lovelace unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Vienna mayor M. Jane Seeman.[8] The race centered largely on stylistic issues over policy concerns, with both candidates agreeing to enforce Vienna's zoning rules and monitor new housing developments around the town.[9]

Lovelace retired from the Vienna town council in 2010,[10] and was honored by a Virginia General Assembly Joint Resolution in 2011.[3] He died from lung cancer in Locust Grove, Virginia on March 22, 2020.[2]

Personal life

Lovelace first wife Elizabeth Richards Lovelace died in 1989 one child was born from this union Dawn Lovelace Klemann. He married Donalda Mosby Lovelace in 1991 and he adopted Donalda Lee Lovelace. He was a devout Catholic and a n retirement continued with his service with the Lake of the Woods Lions Club. [11][12]

References
  1. Trompeter, Brian (March 25, 2020). "Former legislator, Vienna Town Council member Lovelace dies at 83". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. "Community deaths". The Washington Post. April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. "Commending George E. Lovelace". Joint Resolution of March 7, 2011. Virginia General Assembly.
  4. "VA. DELEGATE RESIGNS". The Washington Post. November 20, 1996. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  5. "1996 House of Delegates Special General Election District 35". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. "1997 House of Delegates General Election District 35". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. "1999 House of Delegates General Election District 35". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  8. "Lovelace Runs for Mayor". Connection Newspapers. February 6, 2006. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  9. Trompeter, Brian (April 20, 2006). "Fresh Air, Unfiltered Views Mark Vienna Campaign Stops". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  10. Hendry, Erica (November 17, 2010). "After 25 Years, Town Manager Announces Retirement". Patch. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  11. Donalda Lovelace
  12. Trompeter, Brian (2020-05-25). "Former legislator, Vienna Town Council member Lovelace dies at 83". INSIDE NOVA. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
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