Lovie's Legacy Mission Statement

To end animal suffering through support of animal welfare needs.

Lovie's Legacy honors the life of Mrs. Lovie Mae Smith, who was born in Robertson County, TN in 1907, and died on February 18, 2005 at the ripe old age of 97. Lovie was raised by her aunt and uncle after her mother and sister died of Tuberculosis when she was just 7 years old. Upon finishing high school, she moved to Nashville, to fulfill her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse, and went on to have a rewarding career at Vanderbilt Hospital until her retirement in 1972.

Lovie lived a simple life with few luxuries. She had a peaceful disposition and an infectious joy that sprung from a deep faith in God. Her greatest love in life was her husband Carl. She also had a passionate heart for rescuing and caring for lost and lonely animals, which she did often throughout her lifetime. In addition to that, Lovie was one of the first donors to the National Humane society in Washington D.C., and gave regularly to animal welfare charities.

Lovie's life wasn't always smooth sailing. In the 1950's she overcame her own personal battle with Tuberculosis. In 1962 she came home from work one day to find her beloved husband Carl dead from a heart attack. A decade later, her favorite cat Joey went out one day and never came back. These losses left a pain in her heart for the rest of her life. In her nineties, Lovie survived breast cancer surgery and endured a difficult rehabilitation of a partially torn rotator cuff which she sustained after taking a fall. It was her next fall, however, that spelled the end of her life. Lovie broke her hip and was unable to recover. She never once complained and she endured death with the same peace by which she embraced life. Before leaving this world, she made sure that her legacy of love for animals would live on, by directing the formation of the non-profit corporation known as Lovie's Legacy.

As we work together, the members of the board of directors will actively be supporting animal rescue organizations, creating educational experiences for children, and providing financial assistance to spay & neuter programs.

With that said, we invite you to join us on our journey of "Helping People Help Animals."