Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge Willie J. Lovett Jr. dies

The Fulton County Juvenile Court Judiciary: [Left to right] Associate Judge Belton, Associate Judge Blau, Presiding Judge Lovett, Chief Presiding Judge Boyd, Presiding Judge Scales, Associate Judge Jackson and Associate Judge Turner. (Credit: Fulton County Juvenile Court)

The Fulton County Juvenile Court Judiciary: [Left to right] Associate Judge Belton, Associate Judge Blau, Presiding Judge Lovett, Chief Presiding Judge Boyd, Presiding Judge Scales, Associate Judge Jackson and Associate Judge Turner. (Credit: Fulton County Juvenile Court)

Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge Willie J. Lovett Jr. died Monday morning, Chief Judge Bradley Boyd said in a news release.

Lovett was a colleague and friend many in the Fulton County community, Boyd said.

“I speak for all judges and court staff when I say that he will be sorely missed,” Boyd said.

Lovett received his undergraduate degree from Yale University before earning his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1988 and his Master of Laws in Litigation from Emory Law School.

He was appointed to the bench in May 2013.

“The innumerable large and small ways he improved the lives of youth will never be forgotten,” Boyd said. “Indeed, they will echo across generations as the children he helped will grow and to become happy and healthy adults able to give their own children love and support.”

Boyd said the court’s thoughts and prayers are with Lovett’s family during this solemn time.

Funeral arrangements had not yet been made, but Boyd said those would be shared once available.