Caroline Love

Caroline Stipes Love lived a life full of beauty, faith, and devotion to her family. Born on March 17, 1933, in Winter Haven, Florida, she later moved with her parents and six siblings to Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Woodlawn High School, she attended secretary school and began working at Chicago Bridge, where she met the love of her life, Olen Taylor “Buddy” Love, Jr. The two were married on December 31, 1954. Buddy, an Auburn University graduate, swept her off her feet with a honeymoon trip to the Sugar Bowl—though Caroline admitted she had no idea what a Sugar Bowl even was. Their love story spanned nearly 50 years, filled with faith, family, and devotion.A devoted Christian, Caroline loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She and Buddy were longtime members of Huffman Baptist Church before joining Lakeside Baptist in their retirement years. We find comfort in knowing she is now at peace in the arms of Jesus and joyfully reunited with Buddy.Caroline was an exceptionally talented woman. She loved working with flowers and creating stunning arrangements, often entering local contests early in her marriage with Buddy. She won several placement ribbons, including the coveted First Place Blue Ribbon. Caroline was also a gifted artist, leaving behind many beautiful oil paintings that still grace her home. Professionally, she built a career as a legal secretary before later working as a stenographer for a court reporting firm, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.Caroline is preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Olen Taylor Love, Jr.; her parents, Walter E. and Iva Sally Stipes; her in-laws, Olen Taylor and Agnes Elizabeth Love; her sister, Mary Frances (Stipes) Bailey; and her brothers Howard Hillary (Buddy) Stipes, Edwin Walter Stipes, and William Harold (Billy) Stipes.Caroline’s greatest joy was her family, who will continue to carry her love forward, including her children: Dennis Taylor Love (Tricia), Barry Stipes Love (Vanessa), David Walter Love (Tammy), and Cheri Dianne Love Ferguson. She is also survived by her brothers Robert David Stipes (Mary) and Johnny Larry Stipes (Pat).Her cherished grandchildren include Eric Taylor Love (April), Tori Love Tabata (Ken), Caroline Nicole Love, Cameron Taylor Love, Dylan Barry Love, Jennifer Crandall Browne (Patrick), and Haley Salzburn, along with several great-grandchildren who were a source of joy and pride.