Jesse Lee Loveless

Mr. Jesse Lee Loveless was born to George Loveless and Charlie Mae Porter Loveless in Itta Bena, MS, on March 7,1940. He peacefully left this life on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Jesse moved to Waterloo, IA with his family, shortly after the Emmitt Till murder trial in 1955. Upon their arrival, they joined the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. As a member of the church, Jesse participated in the Male Chorus, Brotherhood, and the Culinary Ministry. As a member of the Culinary Ministry, he oversaw the church's vending ventures such as My Waterloo Days and Sturgis Falls. He also proudly served as Mount Carmel's Sunday School Superintendant all the way to his transition.

Mr. Jesse Lee Loveless was a product of the Waterloo School system, having attended Logan Junior High and graduating from Waterloo East High in1960. While a student at East, Jesse was an athlete playing football and basketball, but the sport he excelled in was track and field. He was inducted into the East High Hall of Fame in 2016 due to his being a star in track and field. Jesse was also an excellent artist having received many awards and accolades for his artistic talent. After graduating from East High, he attended the University of Northern Iowa.

Jesse married Aunice Cooper in1960 who tragically passed away in1964, leaving two daughters for Jesse to raise. He later married Caroline Thomas November 6, 1966.

Mr. Jesse Lee Loveless has the distinction of being a part of Cedar Valley history, being one of six men who became the first African American Deputy Sheriffs in the Blackhawk County Sheriff's Department. He later found employment at the John Deere Tractor Company, starting in the foundry and then retiring as a Supervisor.

Jesse also participated civically in his community. His civic duties include sitting on the City of Waterloo Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Directors to the House of Hope Women's Transitional Home, and he volunteered for many years at the Jesse Cosby Senior Citizens Center's Meal on Wheels program. He truly lived a life of service.

Jesse also enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to read (avidly), gardening, bowling and playing golf. He was a member of the Swinger's Golf club. Jesse continued with these hobbies all the way to his transition. Jesse's greatest joy was his family, especially his grand and great grandchildren.

Mr. Jesse Loveless leaves to mourn, his loving wife Caroline; two daughters Tracie (Cedric) Hill of Waterloo, IA, Katherine (Gerald) Thomas of Illinois; three sons, Yolando (Chiquita) Loveless of Waterloo, IA, Derrius (Pam) Loveless of Iowa City, IA, and Jason Loveless of Des Moines, IA; one brother Paul Loveless of Barstow, CA; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, including his Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church family.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Olivia Stevens, Harriet Scarborough, and Johnnie Martin; five brothers Darryl Loveless, Steven Loveless, Charles Loveless, Willie Powell and Scott Powell.