It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Erine Elaine Dove of Indianapolis, IN — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
The following words honor a life that mattered to many.
Service is one chapter of a life, but for those who serve, it shapes every other.
Erine Elaine Dove, affectionately known as “Lanie” or “Sissy,” was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 29, 1960, to Charles and Muriel Bell. She was later graciously adopted by Carl and Margaret Johnson, who instilled in her the enduring values of love, strength, compassion, and the resilience she carried throughout her life.Erine graduated from Northwest High School and went on to live a life boldly defined by courage and service. After high school, she joined the United States Army, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the youngest Sergeant First Class in the entire State of Indiana at just 25 years old. She served with remarkable distinction as a Senior Administrative Supervisor to the acting General, Intelligence Photo Recon Specialist, and highly skilled sharpshooter. Her excellence was recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the Indiana Commendation Medal, Commander-in-Chief Performance Award, and recognition as Top Recruiter in Indiana. She was honorably discharged on May 1, 1988, having served her country with exceptional dedication and pride.A true visionary entrepreneur, Erine boldly founded the first luxury taxi service in the Midwest, operating an exclusive, on-call luxury service. Through her work, she professionally served notable celebrity clients such as Vivica A. Fox, Patti LaBelle, and Luther Vandross. She also held various management roles and passionately explored her creative gifts through becoming a musician, writing sci-fi fan fiction and managing Olympic athletes.While stationed overseas, Erine joyfully welcomed her daughter, Terry, in Landstuhl, Germany in 1980. She later married Lawrence Dove, who also served in the United States Navy, and together they welcomed their son, Michael, in 1992. Her deep love for travel continued throughout her life, as she lived abroad in Borjomi, Georgia; Makkeda, Israel; and Tirana, Albania, where she faithfully shared her belief in Christ through evangelism and missionary work.Above all, Erine was a woman of deep and abiding faith who devoted her life wholeheartedly to Christ. She will be remembered fondly for her kind spirit, her adventurous heart, and the genuine love she gave so freely and consistently to all who knew her.She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Dove, and her sister, Claricia Cannon (Wayne). She is survived by her daughter, Terry (Delmon, Sr.); her granddaughter Kai-Rae, her son, Michael; her mother, Muriel Bell-Wells (Archibald); her brothers, Darrell (Kerry) and Michael; her sisters, Celeste and Jeri; and a host of deeply beloved nieces and nephews.
