Colleen Rue Jean (Riley) Lovett, Kearney, Missouri, passed away on her 85th birthday, January 18, 2024. Rue was born January 18, 1939, in Eagleville, Missouri, the only child of Doris (Ballew) and Darryl Riley. She attended school in Eagleville, Missouri, graduating in 1957 from North Harrison High School.
On August 18, 1957, she married her lifelong love, Cecil W. Lovett, Jr., at the First Christian Church (DoC) in Eagleville, Missouri. They had four daughters: Teresa Brent, Loni Collins (Steve), Annette Hatton (Kevin) and Cie Cascone (Scott).
Growing up an only child, Rue valued the relationships she had with friends and family. Her house often became the base from which cousins and friends would venture out for basketball games, dances, ice cream socials, and other events. Rue had an outgoing personality with a sweet disposition that drew people to her. In high school, Rue was well known for her scholarship, athleticism, and leadership skills.
As a young Navy wife, Rue quickly learned to adapt to each new duty station. Rue made houses into homes from coast-to-coast and in Cairo, Egypt. She made anywhere “home!” So much so, that when each of her four daughters had their first child, their families moved to Kearney to be closer to “home.” Rue wasn’t just a Momma to her four daughters. She also became “Mom” to so many others from her daughters’ friends, her friends’ daughters, new Navy wives and new mothers, younger co-workers, and many others along the way. She was a natural educator and caregiver providing life lessons and skills to so many young women, in addition to her four daughters.
In 1978, Rue obtained her real estate license and began an amazing career that culminated with her and Cecil owning three real estate offices in Kearney, Excelsior Springs, and Smithville Missouri. While “Cecil Lovett and Associates LLC” was on the legal documents, everyone knew who ran the real estate business! In addition to the day-to-day business, Rue was active in many professional organizations and was honored time and again for her excellence in leadership, training, and sales. She was a powerhouse! She believed helping people find a home was a privilege. She was successful because she cared for and shepherded her clients throughout the process. Not only did her clients return, time after time, when they needed to upsize or downsize, but many of her clients became lifetime friends. Rue treated employees like her extended “family” and many remained “family” even after her retirement in 2023.
In addition to her work life, Rue was always deeply committed to her church and her community. She has served on many state and community boards over the years from the State of Tennessee Educational Board to the President of the Missouri Women’s Council of Realtors and active in the Kearney Chamber of Commerce. She was a lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, starting the first chapter in Cairo, Egypt. She served as a Deaconess, Elder, and Board Member for both the Methodist Church and the Christian Church (DoC) over the years. Her strong faith saw her through 85 years of life, living each one by her chosen motto “One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus!”
Preceding her in death were her husband of 64 years, Cecil W. Lovett Jr. and her parents, Darryl and Doris Riley.
Left to mourn her passing are her daughters: Teresa Brent, Loni Collins (Steve), Annette Hatton (Kevin) all of Kearney, Missouri and Cie Cascone (Scott) of Gardner, Kansas. Grandchildren: Ryan Collins (Miranda), Ozark, MO, Derek Collins (Crystal), Kearney, MO, Chris Brent (Michelle) Topeka, KS, Nic Brent (Ellie), Kansas City, MO, Andrea Hatton (Brandon), Liberty, MO, Jennifer Hatton (Andrei), Excelsior Springs, MO, J.T. Spaeth, Kansas City, MO, Riley Spaeth (Dakota), Kansas City, MO and Braeden Hughes, Gardner, KS. Great-grandchildren: Adrian Collins, Ali Collins, Zoe Collins, Liam Collins, Corbin Collins, Keira Hatton, Elijah Shoemaker, Autumn Saveluc, and Nora Brent. In addition, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Last, but certainly not least, Mom’s loyal companion, Jessie the wonder dog!
Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 24 at the First Christian Church, 2151 S. Jefferson St., Kearney, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Eagleville, MO. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Kearney, MO. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church and/or Kearney Foundation in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Eagleville, MO 64442. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
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