Michael Morris Lovelady, 83, son of Sarah and Horace Lovelady, passed peacefully at his home in Harvest, Alabama May 18, 2019. He was surrounded by his wife Deb, his daughters and grandchildren. Morris was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Howard and Eugene Lovelady. Morris was best known for his love of Alabama football, US Veterans and barefoot water skiing on the Tennessee River. He was honored by the American Barefoot Club as their first Community Champion in 2013, a lifetime achievement award for fostering the sport of barefoot water skiing. It is a widely held belief that Morris was the first person in this area and on the Tennessee River to ski barefoot. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Jefferys Lovelady, his children Jennifer Lovelady, Betsy Fountain, Sally and Charlie Vark, Amy and Todd Strickland, and Samantha Lovelady and Norman Schwarz, his grandchildren, Michael Lovelady, Phillip Lovelace, Jonathan Lovelady, Amanda Lovelace, Charles and Samantha Vark, and Charlotte Vark and Lee Casey, and his great grandchildren Justice, Jaxson, Elliot, Ian, Katelyn, Chelsea and Hailee, and his brother, Robert Lovelady. Morris was born in Decatur, Alabama and graduated from Decatur High School. He worked 35 years for Glidden Paint Store. He lived his life in North Alabama, with a brief time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He served in the US Air Force from 1955 until 1960, and honored all military Veterans from all branches. He was a PER and Life Member of the Florence Elks Lodge 820. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Morris' favorite charities, the American Red Cross, St. Judes, the Melanoma Research Program at Mayo Clinic, or the Hospice Family Care Program. Or, as he would say, pay it forward in your own way. "If someone needs help, help them."

Visitation will be on Thursday at 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon followed by a service at Ridout's Brown-Service Chapel with Rev Roger Lovelady officiating and burial at Hardshell Cemetery with Military Honors.