Steve Ivey
Steve Ivey passed away on September 16, 2021. One heck of a man took the checkered flag and is now in victory lane!
Steve Allen Ivey was born on Oct. 8, 1946, to Archie Ray Ivey and Katie Ruth Newsome Ivey in Chattanooga Tn. His Daddy was a hard working master carpenter and his mother was an angel! Steve had two younger sisters. His younger sister Carol LaRae Ivey was very special and unfortunately passed many years ago. His other sister Kathy Ivey Talley (who is also an angel just like her mother) still resides in Chickamauga and has two wonderful children and two grandchildren.
Steve became a member of Peavine Baptist Church and was baptized on October 16, 1962.
Steve graduated from Lakeview High School and joined the National Guard. He was fascinated with fast cars and enjoyed drag racing and dirt track racing. He like being outdoors and was an avid fisherman and deer hunter. He was one of the founding members of Pro Hunting Club, which started with 1,000 in Hancock Co. Ga., and expanded to 7,000 plus acres in Washington County, Ga with 30+ members.
Steve raced and built race cars with his friends and idols Mike Thomas, Jody Ridley, Bittle Ridley and many others who loved the sport as much as he did. He and one of his best friends Mike Thomas built a race car that one three first place trophies in the World of Wheels Car show circa 1982 when it was in its prominent stages. He regularly ran parts back and forth to Elliot’s garage in Dawsonville Ga where he made even more racing connections. Since cars were his world it was obviously fitting he would work for Mr. Adcox at Adcox Kirby Chevrolet and work alongside Grant Adcox in his racing program.
However, it was in 1971 that something else caught his attention. A beautiful brunette by the name of Melinda Kay Lane. A friend introduced them and after 3 1/2 years Steve finally talked her into getting married! (He definitely “married up” as they said) Melinda was the light of his life! A genuine good-hearted woman and faithful Christian. She spent many nights hanging out in the garage, at one track or another, and always supported him in whatever he did. Steve knew he was a lucky man.
Four years later came the first of two boys. In 1978 Jason Allen Was brought into the world followed by Justin Lane in 1982. Steve thoroughly enjoyed watching his boys grow up! He would take pride in watching them compete in all kinds of numerous sports growing up while also hunting and fishing with them. Steve had a passion for deer hunting that was always there. He would later enjoy watching his grandchildren, one handsome young man (Ayden Cole Ivey) and two beautiful young ladies (Kendall Ann Ivey & Aubrey Elizabeth Ivey) grow, play and compete. He was proud. He loved his family and friends very much. They were his life. He was a kind soul, with a huge heart.
Our family would like to personally thank each and every one of you for all for all the many thoughts, prayers, love and support we have had and continue to receive during this time.
Dad would be proud. He was proud. Of each and every one of you that graced his life at one point or another. He always remembered something about EVERYBODY! He will be greatly missed! But we are happy for him. God Speed, Big Steve!
A celebration of life will be on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-4 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort and view the memorial tribute.