Mary Jo Plier Lovelady, born April 16, 1927, in Chilton County, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Hatley Health Care.

She was an award-winning published poet who loved to write.

She was a member of Clanton Seventh Day Adventist Church and studied her Bible daily.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, researching genealogy, spoiling her grandchildren, and was very proud to belong to the Echota Cherokee tribe of the state of Alabama.

Lovelady was preceded in death by her parents, William and Sara White Plier; her husband of 49 years, John Buren T. Lovelady; son, John Buren T. Lovelady Jr.; daughter, Sharon L. Smith; great-grandson, Tyler Rooks; brother, James P. Plier; brother, Charles E. Plier; sister, LaBelle Burnett; and sister, Frances Browning.

Surviving are daughter, Renee L. (Dan) Nickolson; daughter, April L. (James R.) Teel; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, all of Clanton.

Pallbearers are Dan Nickolson, James R. Teel, James P. Smith, Randy Rooks, Jesse Nickolson and Justin R. Teel.

Services will be held at Clanton Seventh Day Adventist Church on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. with Tony Plier, nephew, officiating.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 1-2 p.m. at Clanton Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Burial will follow in Martin Memorial Cemetery.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Hatley Health Care for the wonderful care that she received; Southern Care Hospice in helping in her final days; and those who visited during her six-month long illness.

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences on the guest registry for the family at

www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.