Howard Louis Love, Jr.

HOWARD LOUIS LOVE, JR. was born on November 9, 1963, in Phillips County, Helena, Arkansas, to his parents, Howard Louis Love, Sr., and Inez Greer. He peacefully departed this life, surrounded by his wife, on March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Howard’s early education began in the Helena-West Helena School District, where he attended Helena West Helena Elementary School. He continued his studies at Eliza Miller Junior High School and graduated in 1984 from Central High School in Helena. Howard later enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), where he studied Psychology and Military Science through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. While there, he served as a Private Second Class (PV2) in the Arkansas Army National Guard. His military decorations include the M 16 Marksman Ribbon, Sharpshooter (Hand Grenade), and Army Service Ribbon. In the spring of 1986, Howard pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at UAPB as a member of the Gamma Sigma Chapter. He crossed with seven other brothers under the line name “8 Ice Kold Pieces of a Dream,” earning the enduring line name Kold Love 7. Howard carried great pride in his fraternity and cherished the lifelong brotherhood it represented. Howard married Andrea, and from this union, their son Stefan DeMario Love was born on February 28, 1991. He later followed the love of his life, Bridget Martin, to Maryland after her relocation from Little Rock, Arkansas. They united in marriage on February 11, 2000, and to this union, Zora Makeda Love was born on March 3, 2009. Throughout his career, Howard worked in the security field, known for his professionalism, reliability, and dedication. He took pride in his work and the relationships he built with colleagues and friends. He retired from Presbyterian Senior Living Glen Meadows in December 2025 after serving as a security officer for 17 years. Howard was an avid griller who loved to barbecue. On many weekends, you could find him outside at the grill, happily cooking for family and friends. He also had a deep love of music and football, which brought him great joy throughout his life. Howard was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2024. He bravely fought a short but courageous battle with the disease, showing strength and resilience throughout his journey. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Inez Greer and Howard L. Love, Sr.; the grandmother who raised him, Ella Greer; and his aunt, Flora Greer. Howard leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Bridgett Martin-Love of Bowie, MD; his daughter, Zora Makeda Love of Bowie, MD; his son, Stefan DeMario Love of Little Rock, AR; his brothers, Mark Steven Love (Patrice) of Hopewell, VA, and Howard L. Love III (Alecia) of Little Rock, AR; his sisters, Netra Lashawn Ellzey of Little Rock, AR, and Ella “Niecy” Wilson (Kenneth) of St. Louis, MO; special cousin Morace Greer (Brenda) of Toledo, OH; mother-in-law, Brenda Martin of Little Rock, AR; father-in-law, Hercules Martin, Jr., of Little Rock, AR; brother-in-law, Hercules Martin III of Bowie, MD; and sister-in-law, Veronica Martin of Little Rock, AR.

Tributes

Howard Louis Love, Jr.

November 9, 1963 - March 4, 2026