Jamal Vernon Love—beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend—spiritually transitioned in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the age of 39 years old, with his mother by his side.
Born to Cheryl Love-White and the late Eugene Patterson, in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 26, 1981, Jamal was undoubtedly his mother’s pride and joy. Loving, optimistic, precocious, and funny, Jamal left an encouraging impression on everyone he met throughout the course of his life.
As a small child, Jamal attended Shiloh Baptist Church Daycare, in Norfolk, and continued there through Kindergarten. He also attended Crossroads and Jacox Elementary Schools, respectively.
When Jamal was 9 years old, he became a big brother to his sister, Ashley. They shared a tight-knit bond, but also one filled with pranks and agitation. He was quite protective of his family and friends and would boldly tell you how he felt about them without pause or reservation. Jamal loved abidingly and would do anything for those he cared for.
Jamal was both a passionate and dedicated man. That was especially true of his love of baseball, which he played via little league from ages 9 to 12; his love of fishing, which spanned from age 12 until his transition; and his lifetime devotion to the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers.
He attended Azalea Gardens Middle School, and spent his teenage years learning to drive, honing his fishing skills, and attending Norview High School, where he played trumpet in the high school band, and met lifelong friends: Jon Jones, Floyd Sykes Jr., and Russell Blake.
Jamal was consistently upbeat, and despite life’s challenges, he always pushed through the pain. He appeared to seize every opportunity to laugh, and make every day a good day, a better day. It was a rare occasion to not see a smile on his face. In sickness and in health, he found the good in each sunrise. “Of all days, the day [that] one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted” (Sebastien Roch), and that’s exactly how he lived.
If Jamal wasn’t laughing, he was most likely dancing. And if you ever caught a glimpse of his two-step, you know that music was his happy place and that dancing was his body’s way of smiling. But Jamal wasn’t Jamaling unless he threw “sugarfoot” or “John Brown” into the conversation. Jamal also learned to DJ, spending countless nights mixing and remixing, and eventually showcasing his skills at various parties and celebrations.
As a young adult, Jamal hung out on the campus of Norfolk State University, where he met his close friend, Fredrick Smith, cemented his style with bow ties and Kangol hats, and started working full-time, eventually gaining employment at Sentara Hospital, in the Transportation Department, and subsequently, the Administration Department.
Jamal was surely a tactile learner, which made activities where he could work with his hands more appealing to him. He soon learned to ride motorcycles, and even began to fix and modify them in his spare time. He ultimately joined the 757 Bike Community where he fellowshipped and shared his love of motorcycles with other area riders. It became one of his greatest joys.
But none of his interests or accomplishments made him feel as whole as becoming an uncle did. When Ashley gave birth to Sianna, Jamal’s whole world changed, and his focus was renewed. He loved the sparkle in Sianna’s eyes and the honesty of her smile. He heard his laugh in her giggle and recognized his optimism in her innocence. Her presence marked a significant responsibility. He was Uncle Jamal now, and that made him feel larger than life.
Jamal was charming, compassionate, and optimistic. He loved family and valued friendship. He loved music, lived to dance, and adored dogs. He was never too cool to play tag with the kids, and never too grown up to laugh. He always saw the potential of things. He was a man who embodied strength and understanding, humility and respect, and loyalty was all he expected in return. He was kind, funny, and the life of the party. But he could also be stubborn, competitive, and too easygoing. Each of these qualities, however, made him the man we celebrate today. Each of these qualities made him human. They made him lovable and relatable. They are the qualities that we’ll always associate him with and remember him for. They are what we’ll continually miss.
Jamal leaves to cherish his memory: his mother, Cheryl Love-White; stepfather, Lonnie White; sisters, Ashley Myrick-Ellis and Lisa George; niece, Sianna Ellis; great-aunt, Evonne Lovitt; uncle, Ray Gainer; aunt, Darlene Love; cousins, Angela Cunningham (Ronald), Kenneth Love Jr., and Brandy Williams (Tomas); extended in-love, Sabrina Walker-Vann and Sharon Coles-Mitchell (Charles); a host of other family and friends, and his ever-faithful Siberian Husky, Bella.
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Personal Service, Peace of Mind, Pleasant Memories
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Catherine Britt says
August 24, 2021 at 1:03 pmCheryl, Ashley, Lonnie it’s been a long and difficult road but the reward is far greater than what we can ever comprehend. I’m going to miss that infectious smile and them keys hanging from his pocket and his hilarious dancing. My baby cousin has achieved a far greater reward. Rest well Jamal. You will always be remembered. I can visualize the excitement of seeing pass family members. Your legacy will live on. Sorrowfully missed. Love you ❤️
Angie Carney says
August 24, 2021 at 3:10 pmCheryl,
Condolences to you and your family. My prayers are with you. As I look at Jamal’s photos I can see that he was very well loved and appreciated. I am praying for your strength.
Angie Carney
Sherita says
August 24, 2021 at 6:12 pmMy condolences to his family and friends for your loss. I pray that God gives you strength and comfort through this difficult time.
Karen A. Rogers says
August 24, 2021 at 10:54 pmWhen I saw you last week in the hospital my heart dropped. We here at SLH will miss your smile and your favorite words ” Hey Sugar Foot”. You fought a good fight and you’re taking your rest. RIH!! Your memory will last forever. I pray that your family will Look to the hills from which come your help. TO GOD BE THE GLORY !!
Brandi Lee says
August 25, 2021 at 10:39 ammy prayers are with the family. Jamal may you Rest in Heaven Suga foot!!! love always your sentara co worker. You will be truly missed but never forgotten.
Tina Chapman says
August 30, 2021 at 10:00 amSending prayers of love and comfort to the family. I remember the first time that I met Jamaal while working in the gift shop , it was his task to keep me aware of my surroundings by constantly creeping up on me …. He will truly be missed but his memories will live on. Always smiling and about loving life to the fullest.
Jamaal it was a pleasure to meet and know you , now rest in Heaven my friend .
Matthew J. Shanley says
August 25, 2021 at 10:54 amI never met a man whose spirit for life. love of people, and joy for the world around him so skillfully masked his physical afflictions. His life is a lesson to us all on compassion, fortitude and integrity. We were blessed to know him.
Doris Prince says
August 25, 2021 at 11:17 amJamal was so sweet and kind. He made me smile every time I spoke to him. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. He will truly be missed.
Lakisha Jarrett says
August 28, 2021 at 9:02 pmMrs Cheryl and Ashley please accept my condolences. Jamal was an amazing and cheerful young man. There was never a dull moment around him. He had an infectious laugh and smile. He will be deeply missed.
Amanda Valine says
August 25, 2021 at 11:42 amMy heart goes out to Jamal’s family and friends. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Brenda Gilchrist says
August 25, 2021 at 1:04 pmBrenda Gilchrist
Aug 25, 2021
My condolences and prayers to the family. May God give you comfort and peace.
Sentara Co-Worker
Jeremy Zamora says
August 26, 2021 at 7:42 amMy sincere condolences to the family! This is a definitely a hard pill to swallow. RIP my friend!
bushead says
August 26, 2021 at 10:47 amI’m sorry for your lost
Jashonda says
August 27, 2021 at 8:23 amCheryl you were a great wife to Jamal. You gave him great years of his life. You opened up his life to so many things. Stay strong my friend. I know this is tough for you. My condolences.
Twisted Throttle Riders Club says
August 27, 2021 at 9:02 amTwisted Throttle Riders Club would like to extend our condolences to all that knew Jamal. He and his wife were members of our bike club and we loved him dearly. He will truly be missed. Rest Easy Jamal aka J-Moody
"Ma" FF says
August 27, 2021 at 9:38 amCheryl, my deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family for the lost of Jamal. He was truly blessed with the union that the both of you shared in both sickness and health. You continued to bring that sparkle in his eyes and that beautiful smile on his face as you broaden his horizons. May he rest in peace and may you have peace within. GOD SPEED. Stay strong, beautiful, caring, loving and true to yourself. My LOVE and condolences.
FeFe says
August 29, 2021 at 4:22 pmDeepest sympathy to Cheryl Foreman Love and the Foreman family and friends. You all enlighten Jamal’s life to bigger and better horizons. What we do with these blessings is on us. May Jamal rest now and may you all continue to live gracefully, respectfully, peacefully and lovingly as you all are. God bless you all always.
Mary BethCarr, NP says
August 28, 2021 at 9:07 amMy sincere condolences. Although I only knew Jamal for a short time it was long enough to know he was a special person. That smile. Forever optimistic. It was an honor to help care for him at Sentara Leigh
Willie Mae Owens says
August 28, 2021 at 8:44 pmSuch a beautiful person always joyful with a smile on his face. He has gone from labor to reward and as the song goes may the work I’ve done speak for me.
Patricia Little Harsley says
August 29, 2021 at 3:23 pmTo Cheryl Love’s Family & Friends
My deepest sympathy to you all in the lost of Jamal. I didn’t know him but from what I’ve learned from all your expressions is that Jamal created many beautiful memories that will remain with all of you forever, especially you, Cheryl! Your forever friend . . . 💛💛💛
Vanessa Story says
August 30, 2021 at 8:16 amMy prayers for the family that God will comfort you during this time of loss. My interaction with Jamal was brief, however I will always remember him as a kind and warm hearted person. He had a great sense of humor and always wore a smile on his face. I am grateful to have known him. Family, stay strong in he Lord and the power of His might.
Sharon D Midgette says
August 30, 2021 at 8:52 amCondolences to the family may God be with you all Jamal is a person you never forget with such a beautiful 😍
The Hall Family says
August 30, 2021 at 11:00 amHe was such a kind and friendly young man. He was our neighbor for a few years in Elite Apartments. I would see him sometimes on his way to work and he also had a smile on his face. Then after he moved I would go to SLH sometime for blood work in run into him. He would also ask me how you and your husband been doing is everything okay. I would say yes and he would say okay now good seeing you again.
Birdie says
August 30, 2021 at 11:29 amRIP Bro…
Nothing but good vibes from day one
Sherry L. Jarrett says
August 30, 2021 at 1:01 pmTo th family you all have my deepest Condolences and sending 🙏 to the family sorry for your loss.
Shantia Williams says
August 30, 2021 at 2:01 pmMy sincerest condolences to the Love family. I am deeply sorry for your loss and you all are close in my thoughts and prayers; may loving memories of Jamal comfort you. It was a great pleasure to get to know Jamal; remembering him today and always.
Rich Mendoza says
September 2, 2021 at 9:35 pmMs. Cheryl and Ashley,
You might not remember me but I will always remember y’all and Jamal. The many times you let me stay over, hang, sleep, whatever. Y’all were there when I was dealing with deep depression and Jamal would always lift me up. I just heard literally minutes ago that we loss Jamal and couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. Praying for your whole family. I regret that we lost touch but I’m grateful to know Jamal and the man he once was.
Respectfully,
Rich Mendoza
P 757.628.1000 • F 757.545.9148