Rev. Charles P. Love

Rev. Charles Peyton Love (Charlie) was born on September 9, 1928, in Marion, Kentucky, to John Lockett Love and Mary Evelyn Pogue Love. His 96-year journey on earth ended early morning on February 1, 2025, when he stepped into eternity with his loving God.

The family moved from Kentucky to Boulder, Colorado, when Charles was nine. He graduated from Boulder High School in 1947. Charles and his brother, Don, enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 where Charles served for six years as an Administrative Specialist, three of which were spent in the U.S. Occupying Force in Japan.

While serving at the Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas, Charles met Mary Elizabeth Leech. He and Mary Elizabeth became acquainted when they played the roles of Mary and Joseph in the church Christmas play and then began dating. As a result of several weeks of study in Sunday School and church training, and prayer about his future, Charles felt God’s calling to dedicate his life to Gospel ministry. No doubt this was to later fit in with his future wife, Mary Elizabeth.

Charles and Mary became engaged in 1953, which was the same year that he decided to leave the USAF to pursue training in church ministry. He received an honorable discharge as a Tech Sgt, E-6, and on September 11, 1953, moved to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University (HSU). The couple were married on June 3, 1954, at Fairview Baptist Church in Amarillo, where they had met.

While a student at HSU, Charles served as Associate Pastor and Music Director at North Park Baptist Church. Upon his graduation in 1957 with a BA degree in Bible, he moved his family to Ft. Worth, Texas, where he attended Southwestern Theological Seminary by day and worked at the US Post Office at night to support his family. He also pastored a small church, Bethel Heights Baptist in Gatesville, Texas, while in seminary. Charles received his Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree in 1962, and from Ft. Worth the family moved to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.

In August 1964, Charles and Mary were appointed as Southern Baptist Missionaries to Guyana, South America, and moved there with their family of seven in October of the same year. While serving as career missionaries to Guyana for 28 years, Charles helped fellow missionaries start, and then taught at the Guyana Baptist Theological Training Center with a passion for training up local pastors. He also pastored several Guyana Baptist churches, planted many church missions all over the country, mentored, hosted and coordinated numerous volunteer mission teams, and helped build the Guyana Baptist Camp where summer camps were held annually. He also served as the Guyana Baptist Mission Treasurer. Charles was and still is affectionately referred to as “Brother Love” by the many Guyanese whose lives he changed forever by introducing them to Jesus.

After retiring as missionaries, Charles and Mary moved to Abilene and bought their first home in 1993. However, soon afterwards they felt God calling them back overseas, and moved to St. Lucia, West Indies, for 18 months. Upon finishing their time in St. Lucia, they again heeded the call of God and moved to China for three years to teach English as a Second Language at a university. Here they built many relationships with students and led many to the Lord.

After returning from China, Charles became very active at Abilene’s First Baptist Church, volunteering at City Lights (homeless ministry), Senior Choir and assisting Mary in the PrayerWorks ministry.

Charles was such a wonderful role model for everyone — so kind, joyful, loving, and hard-working. He was known for being easy-going and fun to be around, always making everyone feel so special. He was disciplined, self-controlled, and content in any situation he was in. He was up early every morning to exercise and spend quiet time with the Lord. He was also known for his great sense of humor and “wheezing” laugh, which often led to shedding tears like he was crying.

Charles loved his family very much and went to great lengths to connect with his five children until the very end — talking to several of them the day before he died. Charles and Mary’s extended family still includes countless worldwide “adopted” children who to this day consider them the most inspiring and powerful influence in their lives.

Charles was well-rounded: he loved distance jogging, which later became distance walking, playing lawn tennis and baseball. He was a huge fan of the St. Louis Cardinals! His favorite foods were Guyanese curry, a good steak, Texas BBQ, pizza with coke, and chocolate ice cream (“Is there any other flavor?” he was known to ask). He enjoyed listening to Christian music and Kentucky Bluegrass.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Love, his parents, his brothers: Don Love and Jamie Love, his in-laws: Rev. Marvin B. Leech and Helen Leech, Mary’s brothers: Owen Leech (Dorothy), Marvin Leech (Linda), and his granddaughter, Michelle Edwards.

Left to carry on his legacy are his children: Debi Mulkey (Richard), Kathy Edwards, David Love (Ginger), John Love (Marjorie), and Donna Elizabeth Tiemeyer. Also his grandchildren: Darrin Love, Melissa Mulkey McCormack (Daniel), Christy Edwards Bunn (Jacob), Zachary Love, Christopher Love (Megan), Caleb Tiemeyer (Laura), Ben Tiemeyer (Catherine) Noah Tiemeyer (Christen), Samuel Love, Jubilee Love Varghese (Jacob), Seth Tiemeyer (Lexi), Joel Love, and Simeon Love. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: August, Oliver and Camilla Kate Bunn, Declan and Callum McCormack, and Parker, Kate, and Charlie Tiemeyer — and great-grandchild Varghese is on the way!

He is also survived by Mary’s brothers, Tim Leech (June), Carey Leech (Rhonda), and Jim Leech (Rosie).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, City Lights Program, 1333 North 3rd, Abilene, TX 79601, or Michelle Edwards Memorial Scholarship Fund, Sam Houston State University, Dept. of the University Advancement, P.O. Box 2537, Huntsville, TX 77341-2357.

Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home is handling the services: 5701 US Highway 277 South. Public visitation is Friday, February 7, 2025, from 5-7pm.

Celebration of Charlie’s life is on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2pm at First Baptist Church Abilene, 1333 North 3rd, Abilene, TX 79601.

To view live stream of service please go to:https://fbcabilene.org/. Once your on the church's main webpage click Watch Live at the very top.