Lawrence Everette McCollum

Lawrence Everette McCollum passed away on April 16, 2024 at his home in Bethany.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Truman and Mattie Everette McCollum, his sisters Yvette McCollum and Betty McCollum Laube, and his brother Robert LeVan McCollum, as well as his beloved daughter Sarah Rebekah McCollum-Webster.

Born in a three-room log cabin in Bethany, Lawrence began farming tobacco at age eleven.   After working at Cone Mills for a few years after his high school graduation, he attended and graduated from Guilford College. He became a history teacher at Stoneville High School while enlarging and modernizing his tobacco farm.  Among those who lived at or visited the family cabin were his first cousin Mike Hall, his cousin Demetra Rankin, and his life-long best friend Darryl Dunagan.  Lawrence helped found the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors on several occasions as well as a Board member of Bethany Community Middle School, Inc. He was also a lifelong member of New Lebanon Christian Church.  Lawrence had much to be proud of yet he was known as a self-effacing and affable man who was a friend to all. 

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Elaine Via McCollum, daughters Laurie E. McCollum, Lela E. McCollum-Lewis (Paige), and Robin Lenore McCollum.  He loved his grandchildren dearly: India Elaine and Charles Truman Tisdale, Claire-Grace, Sophie, and Lucy Eliza Lewis, John Everette (Kate) and Ethan Webster, and Ronin Lawrence Monroe McCollum   He is also survived by his remaining sister, Mary Ann McCollum and brother-in-law, Homer Laube.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, April 20, at New Lebanon Christian Church, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM,  followed by the funeral at 12:00 PM. A reception will take place in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethany Volunteer Fire Department Station 140 or New Lebanon Christian Church.