Mr. Harlan Jerrand Lovett, Jr., was born on September
18, 1970, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Mr. Harlan Lovett, Sr., and
Mrs. Gloria Lovett Bufford. On March 31, 2022, he exchanged time
for eternity in the early morning hours as the windy rains from
heaven came down.
Early in life he realized the need for a Savior, and he accepted Jesus
Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was born into the A.M.E. Zion
Church and later joined the Central United Methodist Church. He
served the Lord joyfully and wholeheartedly. He did everything with
a smile. He had an unwavering faith in the Lord, a faithful servant.
Most recently, he was an enthusiastic active member of First United
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama, under
the leadership Pastor Tremaine Davis, where he happily served until
his illness.
Harlan was educated in the Fairfield City School System. He was a
1988 graduate of Fairfield High School. He attended Lawson State
Community College, in Birmingham, Alabama. Harlan was a
licensed CDL truck driver. He drove across the entire United States,
coast to coast. He was also employed with the Birmingham-Jefferson
County Transit Authority (Max), where he joyfully met, greeted, and
transported his passengers with a smile, jokes, and every day chit-chat
that made them feel good.
Harlan also had a never-ending love for music. During his youth, he
played in the Fairfield High School Band. He continued to support
the Fairfield High School Band, along with his mother, Mrs. Gloria
Bufford. You could find them faithfully in the stands near the band
on Friday nights. Gospel music seemed to be his favorite. On any
given day, you could find him sitting at the kitchen table with one of
the local gospel stations on or perhaps when he'd ride in the car, he
would immediately turn the radio on a gospel station. Never Would
Have Made It by Marvin Sapp was his favorite.
All of his life he had been happy, jovial, and giving. He always had a
smile for everyone he'd meet. There was a funny punchline in every
conversation. When you left his presence, you felt genuine love. His
jovial ways were sometimes misunderstood, but he was harmless as a
dove.
Loving Harlan endlessly and cherishing his memory are: his son, Mr.
Jerrad Fitzgerald Mercer of Birmingham, Alabama; a loving and devoted
sister, Ms. Sigrid Lovett-Kimble of Birmingham, Alabama; sisters, Ms.
Fadhima Lovett and Ms. Harlei Lovett, both of Birmingham, Alabama;
brother, Mr. LaGarion Amos of Birmingham, Alabama; stepfather, Mr.
James L. Bufford, Jr., of Birmingham, Alabama; nephews and nieces
with a lifetime of fond memories, Corporal Justin A. Lovett of El Paso,
Texas, Mr. Michael S. Burton, II of Nashville, Tennessee, Ms. Angelica
M. Burton, Mrs. GeAnna N. Johnson (DeAndre'), and Mr. Elisha B.
Kimble, all of Birmingham, Alabama; great-niece, Miss Draya Johnson
of Birmingham, Alabama; longtime family friend, Ms. Shelia Mercer;
and a host of family and friends.