Muriel Ruth Ross

Muriel Ruth Ross Lovell, age 89, of Lavaca, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at her home on January 5, 2026. She was born on December 24, 1936, in Charleston, Arkansas, and was the beloved daughter of Are and Hazel (Wagner) Stubblefield. Muriel was a proud graduate of Lavaca High School, Class of 1954. She married her first husband, Emery Kenneth Ross, on June 11, 1955, and they shared many years together until his passing on August 19, 1990. In later years, Muriel found love again and married Harold Gene Lovell on June 21, 1998. He preceded her in death on January 5, 2011.

Primarily a devoted homemaker, Muriel also gave generously of her time in service to her community. She worked with Meals on Wheels, was involved with the Area Agency on Aging, served as a Silver Hair Legislator, and was a board member of SRCA. Muriel lived her faith through kindness and fellowship as she attended the Union Baptist Church of Lavaca. She enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and gardening, and she loved staying active through traveling, bowling, and dancing. She could often be found doing everything over the past few years with her close friend, Garry McGlothlin. Muriel never met a stranger; she had a gift for conversation and made everyone feel welcome. She will be remembered for her warmth, dedication, and deep love for her family and community.

Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched. Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Are and Hazel Stubblefield; her husbands, Emery Kenneth Ross and Harold Gene Lovell; her son, Kenneth Are Ross; her grandson, Blake Seamans Ross; and her brother, Are Chester Stubblefield. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Kendra Ann Ross Browning and Darryl Wymer of Zanesville, Ohio; Tom Ross of Lavaca; and William Mark Ross and wife Bonnie of Sanger, Texas.

She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ben “B.J.” Browning and his wife Soon of Land O’ Lakes, Florida; Jon Ross Browning and wife Elisabeth of Zanesville, Ohio; Morgan Browning and Ashley Dodson of Sanger, Texas; and Victoria, Preston, and Carson Ross of Sanger, Texas. Muriel will be fondly remembered by her great-grandchildren: Kenneth Browning and wife Saidie, Noah O’Reilly, Scarlet Browning, Nadyah Browning, Adalinn Browning, and Charlotte Browning; and by her great-great-grandson, Waylon Browning.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Lavaca, Arkansas. Funeral services will follow on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Kyle Horton. Pallbearers will be B.J. Browning, Jon Ross Browning, Morgan Browning, Preston Ross, Carson Ross, and Steve Greenwood. Muriel will be laid to rest at Mountain Hope Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel.