FAYETTEVILLE — Stephen (Steve) McClelland Lovett,

76, of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Circle of Life: Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas. He was a lifelong resident of Star City, Arkansas, and most recently, a 12-year resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Steve was married to Sharon Lynn (Brown) Lovett for 48 years. They adopted a daughter, Lindsey Louise in 1978. He was a farmer in Grady, Arkansas for 41 years at S & L Farms. He retired in 2008 and moved to Fayetteville to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren.

His first year in Fayetteville, Steve joined the Watch D.O.G.S. program at his grandson’s school, ROOT Elementary, where he greeted students every morning as they arrived on campus. This volunteer position quickly expanded from greeter to Steve doing everything from making copies to providing coats for children who were in need. Steve held his position as a Watchdog Dad very close to his heart and impacted the lives of children and adults on a daily basis with his kindness and joy.

Steve graduated from Star City High School in 1961. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and graduated in 1965, after which he returned to Star City to take on a leadership role at his family farm. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Arkansas Alumni Association and the Razorback Foundation. Steve and his family were chosen as Lincoln County Farm Family of the Year.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Scott Lovett, Jr., his mother, Mary Louise McClelland (Lovett), and his sister, Carolyn Jean (Lovett) Carder. Survivors include his wife Sharon Lynn (Brown) Lovett; his daughter Lindsey Louise Lovett Estes; his brother Thomas Scott Lovett, III, his sister, Susan Lovett Brown (David); and his grandchildren, Zachary Stephen Estes and Zoe Elizabeth Estes.

Visitation will be held from 12 noon-2 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Griffin Funeral Home in Star City, Arkansas, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m., Bro. Elwin Ollar will officiate. Burial at Drake Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jack Jackson, James West, Jimmie Don McKissack, Dwight Fugate, Paul Johnson and Pat McGowan. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials/donations in memory of Stephen Lovett to support patient care and family services to: Circle of Life; Earlene Howard Hospice Home; 901 Jones Road – Springdale, Ark. 72762 or www.givetocircle.org.