Mary Margaret Erwin Lovell

Mary Margaret Erwin Lovell, 95, retired manager of Columbia Bowling Center and noted embroiderer died Monday morning at her assisted living apartment in Columbia. Due to COVID-19, the family will have a private service at McCain’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in McCain’s Cemetery. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements. The family suggests memorials to Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born August 4, 1924 in Maury County, she was the daughter of the late Ethelbert Hamilton Erwin and Elizabeth Moore Erwin. After graduating from Columbia Central High School, she attended the University of Tennessee. In 1945 she left college to begin secretarial work in the newly established town of Oak Ridge working for the facility now known as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She later returned to Columbia and managed a family venture begun in 1959, the Columbia Bowling Center, where on July 14, 1963, she bowled a perfect 300 score game. It was during this period in her life that she met her perfect partner and married Monroe Mason Lovell on March 20, 1964. After her retirement in 1975, Mrs. Lovell could not remain idle. She saw an article in the newspaper about a non-credit course in stitching offered at Columbia State Community College (CSCC), enrolled, and never stopped stitching and needlework until her death. Mrs. Lovell joined the Embroiderers Guild of America, Cheekwood Chapter, in Nashville. Her work has been featured in a number of exhibitions including a stitched ornament for the White House Christmas Tree in 1996, an HGTV segment on her three-dimensional bird stitching in 2001, and a solo exhibition of her work at CSCC. In 2009, after years of submitting required projects for approval, she was awarded a Master Craftsman certificate in Crewel Embroidery. During this time after her retirement, both Mr. and Mrs. Lovell were avid supporters of Columbia Academy and were honored in many ways, including the naming of the gym, Lovell Hall. In October 2013, Mr. and Mrs. Lovell were inducted into the Hall of Fame at Columbia Academy. She was an active member of Graymere Church of Christ. Survivors include her son, Alan (Marylee) Foster of Nolensville; step-daughter Candy Moon of Atlanta, Georgia; step-grandchild Travis (Sharon) Moon of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren Marsha Foster of Knoxville, and Michael (Samantha) Foster of Spring Hill; great-grandchildren Landon Foster and Gavin Foster; step-great grandchildren Andrew Moon, Matthew Moon and Johnathan Moon. Also several nieces and nephews Judy Watson, Sherry Graham, Dean Erwin, Ronnie Erwin and Debbie Haynes. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Monroe Mason Lovell and her son, J. W. Foster.