Alve Minter

September 23, 1948 ~ June 28, 2026 (age 77)

Alve Minter was born on September 23, 1948, to the late AlSmith & Beatrice Minter in Somerville, TN.

His funeral service was held on Friday July 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Antioch Baptist Church with Pastor Jermaine Shaw was in charge.  Burial was in the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, July 7th.  Dixie Funeral Home www.dixiefuneralhome.com is in charge of the professional service

At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Whiteville, Tennessee. A lifelong Tennessean, he attended Allen White High School in Whiteville TN, where he graduated in May 1967.

At the courageous age of 19, on January 28, 1969, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army at Fort Benning, Georgia. Rising to the rank of Specialist Four (SP4), he served honorably in Vietnam from June 30, 1969, to June 27, 1970. During his military service, he received numerous commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, two Overseas Service Bars, Marksman Badge (Rifle M-14), and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle M-16). His bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to this nation reflected the character that defined his life.

Upon returning home to Hardeman County—sporting his signature jheri curl and a denim jacket proudly bearing the words, "Vietnam at 19 and Back"—he embraced the next chapter of his life and united in holy matrimony with Joyce Marie and lovingly began the journey of fatherhood with his daughter, Judith Machelle.

Alve began his career at Harmon Automotive in Bolivar, Tennessee, where he worked as a skilled painter for more than twenty-five years. Though he was a man of few words, his actions spoke volumes. His unwavering work ethic, reliability, and dedication earned the respect of those around him. His daughters fondly remember waiting outside the plant on payday Fridays, knowing their father would greet them with a warm frown and the gift of a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill. Alve's steadfast commitment to hard work, providing for those he loved, and leading by example established a legacy that continues to live on through his children, grandchildren, and generations to come.

He was preceded in death by his father, AlSmith Minter; his mother, Beatrice Minter; his brothers, James Minter, Robert Minter, and Leonard Minter; his sister, Kathleen Bills; and his beloved grandson, Christopher Alexander Pugh II. He was also preceded in death by his great-grandparents, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, a great-niece, and many cherished cousins. He truly loved life. In his younger years, he enjoyed cruising the roads of Hardeman County in his royal blue Chevy short-bed truck or his gold Cadillac Sedan de Ville alongside his lifelong friends Sampson Murphy, Robert Jones, Oscar Rivers, and Johnnie Ray Beard. Whether they were headed over to Preston (Dick) Minter, Tap Murphy's or Pamela Raggedy homes, Hickory Valley, or the New Castle store, the ride was never complete without the blues playing loudly through the speakers. Some of his favorite artists included Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, ZZ Hill, and McKinley Mitchell.

Family meant everything to him. He enjoyed spending time with loved ones, but he also knew when it was time to head home. It was common for him to recruit one of his grandchildren by saying "run me home" about an hour after arriving at a family gathering. He loved living in the quiet community of New Castle. Some of his happiest moments were spent walking across the yard to visit his best friend, brother, and lifelong buddy, Robert "Jingo" Minter. Together they made their usual trips to Whiteville for lottery tickets, Busch beer, a pack of Salem Shorts, or over to Bolivar so they could share a few laughs and get their hair cut by their brother Gerald. He eagerly looked forward to watching his grandchildren continue to grow and flourish, but God had other plans. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 5:08 p.m., God peacefully called him from labor to reward. While his departure was unexpected, his faith carried him safely into his heavenly home, where he now rests free from pain and rejoices in the presence of the Lord.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory to his loving daughters, Judith Machelle Pugh, Kimberly (Baron) Jimmerson, and Trinity (Darnell) Wooden; one son, Shan Jones; grandsons, Kimetrius "Tre" Jimmerson, FeDerius Jones, Javin Polk (Lil Buddy), and Shan Jones, Jr.; granddaughters, Alexus Jimmerson, Kyla Greer, Kirsten Greer, and Shaniyah Jones; and great-grandchildren, Jaiden Jimmerson, Jordan Jimmerson, Esther Pugh, Chase Pugh, Alexander Jones, Myla Reaves, and EmMarie Jones. He is also survived by his brothers, Deitrich (Sandra) Minter, Gerald (Carla) Minter, and Donald (JoAnne) Minter; his sister, Esther Minter; his sisters-in-law, Mary and Nancy Minter; his beloved Aunt Dorothy, whom he affectionately considered his second mother; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends who loved him dearly. Alve's life was a beautiful reflection of God's love, humility, resilience, and devotion to family. Through both his words and his example, he taught his family to work hard, manage their money wisely, never depend on others for what they could do themselves, understand that every invitation did not require their presence, and appreciate the peace found in spending time alone. He is absent from this earthly life, but his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. His love, wisdom, laughter, and quiet strength will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.