Lawrence M. French

Lawrence Motley French, 98, of Fieldale, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville. He was born in Rockingham County, NC on April 14, 1912 to Samuel Porter French and Fannie Wright Sawyers French. He retired from Fieldcrest Mills after 48 years of service. Mr. French was a long-time member of Fieldale Baptist Church where he was a former deacon and was active in the Adult Choir and the Brotherhood. He was also a charter member of the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his wife of 79 years, Iva Helms French who died February 6, 2011; two sisters, Frances Taylor and Gertrude Riggan; one brother, Oscar French; two half sisters and one half brother.

Surviving are two sons, Melvin Lawrence French and his wife Hattie, Raeburn A. French and his wife Betty, all of Fieldale; five grandchildren, Lori Bailey, Brian French, Sandra Dawson, Larry French and Chris Hodges; four great-grandchildren, Caroline Bailey, Meagan Hodges, Angie Dawson and Jetta Hodges.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Fieldale Baptist Church with Pastor Frank S. Gribble, III, Rev. Richard Harrison and Rev. Joe Bryant officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Burial Park.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. at Fieldale Baptist Church prior to the funeral service.

Memorials may be made to Fieldale Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 98, Fieldale, VA 24089 or the Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad, 1827 Daniels Creek Road, Collinsville, VA 24078.

Arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.

To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.