Anita June Phipps Love, age 95, of Independence, VA passed away on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at the Woltz Hospice House in Dobson, NC following a brief illness.  She was born on June 22, 1930, in Grayson County to Ben Hurley and Velva Cox Phipps.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenner McKay Love.  Mrs. Love graduated from Independence High School and attended Hiwassee College.  Following a two-year degree, she attended East Tennessee State University.  Upon graduation from ETSU, she began a career as a Home Demonstration Extension Agent eventually serving in Wise, Franklin, and Bath Counties.  In 1955 she married Kenner McKay Love and later assumed a teaching position at her high school alma mater where she served until the mid-seventies.  She became the librarian at Flatridge and Bridle Creek Elementary Schools.  Following a few years of retirement, she enjoyed involvement in United Methodist Women, DAR and the Retired Teachers' Association.  However, retirement was short-lived when she became the head librarian at Oak Hill Academy for several years. While serving at Oak Hill, she traveled with the Oak Hill Basketball team including a trip to the McDonalds Tournament in Hawaii.  She also enjoyed traveling adventures with her cousin, Flora Jean Kirk.

True to her early training, Mrs. Love was an excellent homemaker, providing an inviting and comfortable home for her family. She was a celebrated cook who found great joy in providing meals for her family and friends. As an educator she exhibited high standards for herself and expected the same from her students.  She was well respected for the grace and dignity that always encased every aspect of her being.  Always mindful of the sick and shut-ins, her days were often spent providing generous acts of kindness.  She frequently included her children to help with taking special treats to nursing homes during holidays.  Members of the Bridle Creek Community were often the recipient of kind deeds and gestures orchestrated by Anita Love.  Anita will be remembered as a remarkable lady with a noble character that cannot be confined to the boundaries of the grave, but will live on, encouraging and sustaining those who cherish her memory.

She is survived by two daughters, Velva Ann and Gordon Groover of Floyd, VA, and Sarah Kay and Charles Rudy of Sparta, NC; one son, Kenner Phipps Love of Sperryville, VA; two grandsons, Grayson Love, and Jacob Love; a step-grandson, Lucas and Bailey Rudy and their son, Mason;  two sisters, Phyllis Phipps of Winston-Salem, NC and Janis and Bob Holdaway of Independence, VA; special adoptive grandchildren, Yujuan Chen and Quining Sun and their son, Nathan of Franklin, TN;  nieces and nephews also survive.

A celebration of life reception will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Cox's Chapel Community Center (1639 Cox's Chapel Road) from 2:00-3:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bridle Creek Cemetery Fund c/o Mary Young 1624 Battlefield Drive Independence, VA 24348 or to the Alleghany County Animal Shelter 2970 US Highway 21 North Sparta, NC 28675.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence is serving the Love family.