Renee Labaw

Renee LaBaw (née Adams), aged 61, of Mandarin, Florida, passed away on September 21, 2026. She was born on April 9, 1965, in Lakeland, Florida, to Robert Daniel Adams and Louise Mary Adams (née Polosky).

She is survived by her husband, Danny Kendrick; her sons, Brett Frank and Riley LaBaw; stepdaughters, Danielle Kendrick and Carolyn Kendrick; her sister, Robin McCollough; and her brothers, Danny Adams and Kelly Adams. For over 35 years, she was also the steadfast sister-in-law to Robin’s husband, Mark McCollough, and her brother Danny’s wife, Lori Adams. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Maverick and Rowan Frank; her great-niece and “adopted granddaughter,” Grey Hall; and her step-grandchildren, Mason Vojtech and Hannah Vojtech. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, Rhonda Marie Jordan (née Adams).

Renee was a devoted, creative force and presence in the lives of her nieces and nephews, who will never forget her: Madison McCollough, Robert McCollough, Thomas McCollough, Emma Adams-Morgan, Benjamin Adams, Hannah Jordan, Jesse Jordan, great-niece Grey Hall, nephew Tatum Lam, and twin great-nieces, Juno Lam and Gemma Lam. She was also loved and will be sorely missed by a large circle of extended family, including her “bestie” Katherine Hall, Grey’s paternal grandmother.

Renee spent some of her most memorable early adult years as a military spouse and mother. Although she spent her latter years largely in Mandarin, she also lived in Japan, Hawaii, and Maine. It was during her time in Oahu that she attended and graduated from college. She later completed a master’s degree in elementary education in Jacksonville, Florida.

Renee spent approximately 12 years doing what she loved as a guidance counselor at Durbin Creek Elementary School in St. Johns County, Florida, where she cared deeply for a student body of roughly 900 children. Her work spanned everything from academic testing and gifted program evaluations to classroom guidance groups. A leader in the school community, she served on the School Advisory Council (SAC), coordinated the school’s holiday box lunch program, and poured her heart into character education initiatives—often dressing as a "school investigator" on morning broadcasts to catch students doing good deeds.

She went over the top to make school memorable, receiving countless accolades from students and families alike. In one particularly profound moment, a family gifted Renee their father's military combat flag following his tour in Afghanistan as a Navy SEAL in gratitude for her support of their child. Her devotion left an indelible mark on thousands of lives.

Arrangements and service details are being handled by Hardage-Giddens funeral home.