Inez L. Love

Inez Martin Love was born on January 11, 1930, in Fluvanna County, Virginia, the ninth of eleven children born to the late Phil Martin and Ruth Morris Martin. She peacefully went to her heavenly home on December 12, 2025. At the age of nine, Inez and her family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where she spent her formative years. She was educated in the Williamsburg public school system and graduated from Bruton Heights School in 1948. Even as a student, Inez displayed a strong work ethic, holding babysitting jobs while attending school. Following graduation, she began working at Colonial Williamsburg Laundry and Dry Cleaners. Over the years, Inez became a highly skilled “master presser.” Her meticulous attention to detail earned her an outstanding reputation, and high-profile clients often requested her services personally because of the exceptional care she gave to their garments. 

Faith played a central role in Inez’s life. She grew up attending the Historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg with her family, where she was baptized at an early age. As an adult, she faithfully served as an usher and remained deeply committed to her church family. While living in Williamsburg, Inez married and became the proud and devoted mother of her daughter, Linda. Inez often shared that the birth of her daughter changed her life for the better, a truth Linda felt daily through her mother’s unwavering love, support, and encouragement. Inez loved her family dearly and spent countless hours in the kitchen cooking with her mother, Ruth. Those cherished moments resulted in a legacy of warmth, hospitality, and delicious meals.

In 1965, Inez moved to Baltimore, Maryland with her daughter and was warmly welcomed into her sister Bessie’s home by her and her family. She began working at the Solo Cup Company and served as a lead training technician, instructing new employees on how to operate machinery successfully. Inez dedicated more than 25 years to the company before retiring. After settling in her new City, Inez found a new church home. She faithfully attended Olivet Baptist Church every Sunday. Family members regularly gathered for Sunday dinners and holidays, eagerly enjoying her rice pudding, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and sweet potato pie. On cold winter days, her hearty beef vegetable soup and homemade biscuits warmed hearts—and even contractors working in her home were often invited to share in her comforting meals. Following her retirement, she relocated to Bowie, Maryland, where she continued her humble service to her Lord and Savior. She attended Evangel Cathedral in Upper Marlboro, MD and later Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, MD, striving always to live a Christ-like life.

Inez shared God’s goodness and love with friends and with everyone she met at every opportunity. Inez enjoyed spending time with friends and participating in activities at the Bowie Senior Center. She delighted in fashion shows, bingo, and fellowship with friends. A talented and accomplished seamstress, years prior, Inez made her daughter Linda’s wedding gown, along with bridesmaids’ and flower girls’ dresses. In her later years, she also designed and created sports- themed memorabilia, including pillows and tote bags, selling many handmade items—blankets, purses, and bags—at local craft shows. Customers often praised how “well made” her creations were. Inez took special pride in knowing that some of her tote bags were purchased and sent abroad as gifts to relatives in Panama, Jamaica, and other Caribbean Islands. 

During her time at the Bowie Senior Center, Inez was especially proud to participate in the creation of a mosaic wall sign for the opening of the new Bowie Fire Station. Working alongside fellow seniors under the direction of a local artist, she contributed to a piece that remains displayed at the entrance today. Her name, along with others, is listed on a plaque honoring those who helped create the artwork. Inez was also blessed to travel across the country on an unforgettable road trip with her daughter, sister, Thelma and granddaughter. Together, they shared laughter and lasting memories while driving from Maryland to California and back—a journey filled with joy and togetherness. 

She was fortunate to experience several trips traveling with other family members to the Carolinas, Florida and a cruise to the Bahamas. Inez was truly a special lady: a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, confidant, mentor, best friend, and a woman who genuinely loved life. She cherished her family and close friends, spending long hours engaged in meaningful conversations and laughter with those she loved.

Inez was preceded in death by her parents and all ten of her siblings: Bessie, George, Major, Owen, Ida, Eric, Phil Jr., Genevieve, Charlie, and Thelma. She leaves behind a legacy of love and treasured memories to her devoted daughter, Linda Love McCormick; her beloved granddaughter, Alesha McCormick; special nieces and nephews who she loved as her own children; extended family members; dear friends from the Bowie Senior Center; and all who were blessed to know and love her. A life well lived.