Vanilla Love

Mrs. Vanilla Love, 80, of Elkhart, Indiana passed away on the morning of May 13, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital. Vanilla was born on January 7, 1942 in Crenshaw Mississippi. She was the fourth of eleven children born to Laura Bell and Dannie Armstrong Sr. Vanilla united in marriage to Irvin Judge Love Jr. on October 18, 1960.  In the year of 1967 Vanilla moved to Elkhart, IN where she established a life for her and her family. 

Vanilla confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. She became a member of Greater Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in 1975.  She was a long-time member of the Greater Bethlehem Gospel Inspirational Choir, as well as the Gospel Supporters Quartet singing group with her sisters. She was a devoted wife to her husband, a loving mother to her children, grandchildren, and a motherly figure to many that encountered her. Vanilla was a long-term employee at Acousticom MFG from 1988 until she retired.  She enjoyed her plants, sewing, cooking, fixing on things, her tools, spending quality time with her family, and loving on her grandchildren. She will be missed by all that came in contact with her. Her beautiful smile will never be forgotten.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Verdia (Micheal) Crenshaw of Elkhart, IN, two sons, Irvin Judge Love III, and Victor (Rattanaphone) Love, both of Elkhart, IN. Eighteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Two sisters, Hattie Jones of Elkhart, IN, Joyce Ann (Reginald) Luckett of Chicago, IL. Two brothers, Willie Lee Petro of New York, New York, Roy Lee Wright of Chicago, IL. and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Preceded her in death are her parents, Laura Armstrong and Dannie Armstrong, her husband, Irvin Judge Love Jr., her son, James Love, four sisters, Ada Burkes, Laura Honorable, Loretta Williams, and Prenile Mack.  Five brothers, James Carter, Joe Carter, Wydell Armstrong, Steve Armstrong, and Dannie Armstrong Jr.

Funeral services for Vanilla will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 12:00pm at Greater Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 1829 Oakland Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516. Viewing and visitation will be held at 11:00am. Service will be officiated by Reverend Dr. Nichols Cossey, and burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery.

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