Rev. Lawrence Echols, Sr.

Lawrence Echols, Sr. was born July 29, 1928 in Hernando, Miss. to Lorn and Crease Elnora Echols, deceased.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Elijah Wallace and Jessie Echols and one sister, Lillie V. Yarbrough. He accepted Christ at an early age.

He united in holy matrimony to Willie Mae Howard at the age of 22 on December 24, 1950. To this union, ten boys and three girls were born. He was a great husband, a great father, and a great pastor that demonstrated his love by meeting the needs of the less fortunate within his community, in which he lived and served for more than five decades.

At the age of 33, Lawrence Echols Sr. preached his first sermon at the Progressive M.B. Church in 1961 under the leadership of the Reverend L.B. Burton. Six months later he began pastoring at Princess Chapel M.B. Church at Double Bridges, Ark. In 1967, he added to his pastorate St. Matthews M.B. Church in Harmondale, Mo. In 1970, Pastor Lawrence Echols Sr. became the pastor of the New Mount Olive M.B. Church in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a graduate of the Arkansas Baptist College Extension center out of Little Rock, Ark.

He was the co-founder and the chairman of the Blytheville Community Samaritan Ministry. He was given the community service award by the state of Arkansas. He once held the position of vice-president of the Blytheville Area Ministry Fellowship. He was known as "Pop Echols" to all that knew him, especially to his fellow clergymen.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Willie Mae Echols of the home;

Four daughters, Irma Jean (James) Harris of Trumann, Ark., Shirley (Jesse) Brown and Sherry (Johnny) Thomas of Blytheville, Joyce Cook of Fayetteville, N.C.;

Ten sons, Charles (Anna) Echols, Donnie (Evelyn) Echols, Douglas (Carolyn) Echols, Lawrence Echols, III and Mark Echols of Blytheville, Devail (Kathy) Echols of Virginia Beach, Va., Lonnie (Brenda) Echols of Sikeston, Mo., Jerry (Marquita) Echols of Hernando, Miss., Shaun Echols and Tywon (Tamara) Echols of Alpharetta, Ga..;

Four brother, Leroy (Lillie) Echols of Cocoa, Flo., Lee Ray (Mary) Echols, Charles Echols and Willie B. Echols of St. Louis.;

Two sisters, Izella (Richard) Moore of St. Louis and Bertha Mae Echols of Blytheville;

51 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren.

The visitation will be Friday, April 8, 2016 from 6:00 -- 8:00 p.m. at New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at 534 Maple St. Blytheville, 72315.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Arkansas Northeastern College -- Briggs Sebaugh Wellness Center at 2501 S. Division Blytheville, with Rev. Douglas Echols Sr. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to a charity memorial fund being set up in Echols' honor. Please send donations to New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Attn: Lawrence Echols, Sr. Memorial Fund, Po Box 658, Blytheville, Ar 72316.

At the family's request, the casket will be open for viewing, one hour before the funeral service. Thereafter, the casket will be closed and remain closed.