S. George Lovell, Jr. was born on September 3, 1918 in Florida to S. George and Coli (Perry) Lovell. He graduated from Furman University in 1942 and from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1947. During WWII, he served as chaplain with the 35th Infantry Division.

Lovell was pastor at North Augusta Baptist Church 1947-1949; First Baptist Church, Statesboro, Ga. 1949-1954; and First Baptist Church, Conway, S.C., 1954-1981. He served on Furman's Board of Trustees 1968-1973. Lovell served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1967, served on the Radio and Television Commission and was trustee of the Sunday School Board. His sermon "Rape of the Good Earth" was inserted into the Congressional Record in 1970 and he authored four books of inspiration and humor. He received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Furman University in 1966, and an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1984.

After retirement, Lovell led fund raising efforts for Martha Franks Retirement Home at Laurens, 1981-1985. Lovell died on September 3, 1996 in Conway, S.C.

Lovell married Julia R. Chiles (1918-1997), Furman class of 1942, daughter of Rev. John R. and Ollie Hale Chiles. She authored the book, The Villa: Monument and Beacon, Saga of Five Families, 1983.

Rev. John R. Chiles was born October 20, 1879 in Corryton, Tenn. He graduated from Carson-Newman College of Jefferson City, Tenn. (1896-1900) and Southern Baptist Seminary of Louisville, Ky. (1900-1903). Chiles was pastor of Baptist churches at Jonesborough and Johnson City, Tenn. and for thirty years at First Baptist Church in Rogersville, Tenn. Later, he pastored churches in Orlando, Fla. Books he authored include, Some historical facts about the Chiles family, 1957; and Some reasons for being and remaining Baptists, 1935. Chiles died at Loris, S.C. on April 6, 1965.