VIOLA JOSEPHINE LOVE

Viola (Josephine) Smith Love was born on November 18, 1940 to the late William F. Smith and Luresa Smith in Akron, OH.  From these humble beginnings sprang a lifetime of love relationships, accomplishments and memories.

She was educated in the Akron Public School system graduating from Garfield High School in 1958, were she played 1st chair saxophone in the marching band.         

Josephine met Travis Love they married on April 23, 1960 and later became the parents of five children.  Their marriage ended nearly fifty-five years later when Travis passed away.

She was employed at Akron General Hospital, Akron Police Dept. as a school crossing guard and Akron School system as a mentor reading to children. She was also a licensed beautician and worked at West side beaty salon and had a beauty salon in her home. 

Josephine was a caretaker for her family helping to raise some of her sibling children.  She was also a great cook and was well known for her fruit cake, pound cake, chocolate tweed cake and macaroni and cheese to name a few.

Affectionately known as “Mother Love,” her spiritual journey began at an early age.  She grew up in a family that was not only spiritual, but musically gifted.  Mother Love was an avid worshipper, singer and pianist.  She served several congregations in Akron including Zion Apostolic, Akron Apostolic Temple and Holiness Church of Christ. 

She was procced in death by her parents, husband Travis Love, daughter Tracie Love; sisters Estella Denson, Willia Williams and Eleanor Ford, brother William F. Smith, III

On Friday, November 27, 2020, Mother Love’s life came to a triumphant end when she slipped away to spend eternity in the presence of Jesus, the Center of her joy.  She finished the race well, having used her time, talent and treasure to help others. “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord” (St. Matthew 25:21) Her devoted family includes her children: Son James T. (Andrea) Love Jr. Elyria, Ohio; daughters, Donna (Billy) Varner of Akron, Ohio, Pamela Love and Deborah Love of Douglasville, Georgia; Sisters Barbara (Joe) McCary, Gwendolyn Gaines, Akron Ohio; Seven grandchildren, Bryson Love, Brandon Love,  Mia Sparks, Marvin Eric Sparks Jr, Cameron Varner, Karmen Love and Jamison Love; Six grant grandchildren  Syria’, Earl, Bryden, Bennie, Reghan, Ryleigh,  and several nieces, nephews, cousins other loving relatives and friends. Special childhood friends Pat Book and Eva Littier.  We would like to thank her niece Darlene Gaines for helping with the care of our mother.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of VIOLA JOSEPHINE LOVE, please visit our floral store.