‘Loving’ is a beautifully poignant story that chronicles the very real struggles that Richard and Mildred Loving had to go through to peacefully and legally exist, as an interracial couple.
When the Supreme Court ruled in their favor (in Loving v. Virginia), the future of marriages was forever altered in America.
Despite being major catalysts for change during a turbulent time in American history, the Lovings had always preferred to remain out of the spotlight.
Even though the couple has since passed away, they did leave behind a beautiful family. Mildred, who succumbed to pneumonia in 2008, was surrounded by 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Plus, with a story as iconic as that of the Lovings, one naturally becomes curious and wants to learn more about the life that they built for themselves. Therefore, let’s take look at Loving children.
Who Are Richard and Mildred Loving’s, Children?
Richard and Mildred first met when he was 17, and she was 11. However, they only got together in high school. When she became pregnant at 18, they decided to get married and went to Washington, D.C., to tie the knot.
One night, after they returned to their house in Central Point, Virginia, the two were arrested by the Sheriff’s Department (which had received an anonymous tip about the interracial couple) (which had received an anonymous tip about the interracial couple).
The couple was then given the option of moving to another city to avoid jail time. So, the pair relocated to the District of Columbia.
However, fed up with the social and financial issues that they kept facing, Mildred reached out to the then-Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, who steered her towards the ACLU.
In the wake of their victory, the Lovings moved back to Virginia, kicking off the legal battle against anti-miscegenation statutes. Not only would the couple become synonymous with the Civil Rights movement forevermore, but they would also go on to raise three children.
In other words, Richard was not Mildred’s blood relative.
This family’s oldest child was named Sidney Clay Jeter, and he was reportedly born on January 27, 1957, in Caroline County, Virginia. While growing up, he attended public school in Caroline County and was active in the St. Stephens Baptist Church.
He enlisted in the Army in 1975 and received a discharge with honors. In 2007, he married Mary Yarbrough and had two daughters. The middle child was Donald Lendberg Loving, who was born on October 8, 1958.
Reportedly, Donald worked for KMM Telecommunications in Fredericksburg. He was married to Kathryn A. Loving and was also a father. However, not much else is known about him. The youngest one is their sister, Peggy Loving Fortune. She is now a divorced mother of three.
She said this about her parents in an interview: “They helped a lot of people.” For me to see a lot of interracial marriages or couples, and a lot of mixed children, I want them to know that it was because of my parents that they are able to do what they wanted to do.”
Where Are Richard and Mildred Loving’s Children Now?
As of today, Peggy is the only surviving child. Sidney passed away in May of 2010 due to reasons that are not publically known. He was 53 years old at the time. Unfortunately, his younger brother predeceased him in August of 2000.
The event was unexpected, and Donald was 41 years old at the time. After watching ‘Loving,’ the daughter stated that she was overwhelmed with emotions. Peggy added, “I’m so grateful that [my parents’] story is finally being told.”
