Donald Eldree Love

Reverend Donald Eldree Love, age 71, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at his home with his wife and children by his side. He went on to be with the Lord after a courageous 10-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

Donald was born on April 13, 1952, in York County, SC, to the late Leon and Zelder Love. Generous, hard-working, God-centered, industrious, dedicated and loving all describe Donald.

He was a past member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church (UMC), Wesley UMC, and current member of the South Carolina UMC Conference as a pastor for the Western York Charge (New Zion UMC, Shady Grove UMC, Sharon UMC).

During the first 12 years of his life, Donald lived on his family’s farm where he developed a steadfast work ethic and love of nature. In the 8th grade, Donald was among the first black students to integrate York Junior High School in 1966. A graduate of York High School (where he met his future wife of 48 years), Donald went on to earn an associate degree from York Technical College before launching a 50-year career in industrial distribution for the water utilities industry. Not quite ready to retire in the 42nd year of this career, Donald launched his own company ­­­— DEL Environmental Solutions, Inc. 

In addition to his work as a devoted family-man and business professional, Donald led a tremendous life of service, much of it volunteer. Donald coached and held leadership positions for West Park Youth Athletics for 20 years (‘80/’81-‘00); impacting the lives of many children. He served as scout master for Boy Scouts Troop 45 for another 20 years (‘89-’08).

Donald’s life of service continued in the United Methodist Church through United Methodist Men leadership, lay speaking and various other church leadership positions both at the local and state level. Growing deeper in his faith, Donald answered the calling of ministry by becoming a pastor for the Western York Charge in September 2017.

Donald is survived by his wife, Toni Lowry Love; his children, Tesia Love and Tavis Love (Shelley); his granddaughter, Karis Love; his siblings, Velma Love, Richard Love (Sandra), Herman Love (Penny), Sheryal Sanders (Tony), Oliver Love (Regina), Beverly Neal (Duane), Rev. Stephen Love (Mamie), and Kenneth Love (Pam); his sisters-in-law, Nancy Faye Love, Katie Lowry, Rosalind Gross (Charles), Emily Lowry, Pamelia Gilmore, Glynis Lowry, Penny Sanders (Ronnie), Bonita Berry (Al), and Claudia Sanders (Michael); his brother-in-law, Timothy Lowry; his aunt, Ollie Patton; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as close family-friends, Leroy & Jo Margaret Lewis and Donnell Mickens.

In addition to his parents, aunts and uncles, Donald was preceded in death by his brother, Leon Allen Love and brother-in-law, Clyde Lowry.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Liberty Church (410 Blessed Hope Road, York, SC 29745) on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, starting with a viewing at 10am followed by a service at 11am.

In memory of Donald, donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation www.pcf.org/donate or Zero Prostate Cancer www.zerocancer.org/donate.

Flowers may be sent to Bratton Funeral Home, 1455 Filbert Hwy, York, SC 29745.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.

 Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is serving the Love family.