On August 20, 2021, Raymond V. Lovinggood, Jr. of Cordova passed away after a long illness. He was 84 years old. Raymond is survived by his sister, Joy Straw (Bob); his two step-daughters, Amy Stuart Fiala (friend-Paul Burdette) and Ginger Stuart Kaplan (Lenny); his grandson, Blake Fiala (Leslie); his great-grandson, Sam Fiala; his brother-in-law, Louis Catone; his niece, Sheryl Ragland (Bart); his nephew, Brad Straw; and a loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Toya Lovinggood, his grandson, Britt Fiala, and his parents R.V. Lovinggood, Sr., and Virginia Lovinggood.

Lovingly called "Bud" by family and friends, Raymond was born on July 3, 1937 in Memphis, Tenn. He attended Castle Heights Military Academy and graduated from Central High School. He attended Harding University, Vanderbilt University, and graduated from the University of Memphis, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology. After college, Raymond was a member of the U.S. Army Company A, 844 ^th Engineer Battalion (Construction) in Ft. Rucker, Alabama. In his early years, he worked in both the construction and sales industries.

Raymond married Toya Louise Catone in 1967 and they were devoted to each other for 50 years.

In 1977, at the age of 40, Raymond suffered permanent hearing loss due to a complication from surgery. He learned to read lips at the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf and in the mid 1980s, he again attended the University of Memphis where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. Raymond dearly loved spending time with family – especially his grandsons. He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, attending stock car races (in his early years), and celebrating special occasions and holidays!

Raymond held memberships at Lindenwood Christian Church as well as Hope Church in Cordova where he and his wife, Toya, worked in the diaper ministry and helped prepare the seating for Sunday services (prior to the new sanctuary).

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Monday, August 30, in the chapel at Hope Church in Cordova. Visitation will begin at 10 AM followed by a devotional service at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hope Church's Stephen Ministry, MIFA, or a charity of one's choice.