Iris Clifford Love

We are deeply saddened to mark the passing of our lovely Iris; cherished sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She lived an exquisitely beautiful and bountiful life, gracing all she met with love, laughter and a special light. Born in Macclenny, Fla, Iris was the daughter of the late Grace Croll and Donovan Croll. Her early life was formed in Moultrie, GA. She began a lifetime of learning at Valdosta State College where she also met her cherished husband, Lamarr. Together they eventually moved to Birmingham where she became a much beloved teacher for over three decades at Cahaba Heights Elementary School. She carried on with her passion for education by earning a M. A. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Iris was an artist of hand and heart both in and out of the classroom. Friends, family and students alike were touched by her enthusiasm for life, quick wit and deeply held belief that we all have an innate, God-given, creative potential that will enhance the world if allowed to flourish. Iris cultivated many such flowers in the garden of her life. The seeds of love and learning she sowed along the way will continue to grow in the sacred soil of her soul she generously shared daily with all she met. Her family was extraordinarily blessed to have walked and laughed on this earth with her for our special time together. She is predeceased by her loving husband, William Lamarr Love, delightful sister Jacqueline Croll Crozier and devoted daughter, Tamara San Love. She will be deeply missed by her treasured family; daughter Kelly Suzanne Love and husband Richard Joseph Pannell, grandchildren Brian Matthew Williams, Sarah Grace Butler and husband Tait Ryan Butler, grandchild Oliver Ryan Butler, sisters Martha King and Donna Croll, nephews and nieces Fred Courtney "Corky" Crozier, Don King and Kara Bunte and eight grandnieces and grandnephews. Her life will be celebrated at Dignity Chapel on March 9, 2017. Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. to be followed by a memorial service. The family requests donations to be made in lieu of flowers in her memorial to: Camp Seale Harris which provide programs and services to children living with diabetes. https://www.campsealeharris.org/get-involved/donate/give-today/ March of Dimes/Nashville, TN chapter which fights to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. http://www.marchofdimes.org