Rev. Luther "Bud" Lawing Brevard, North Carolina Obituary

Rev. Luther "Bud" Lawing

Luther H. “Bud” Lawing, Jr. died Tuesday, April 9, 2019 after a period of declining health. He was a devoted son, husband, father and friend who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was born February 18, 1934, in Charlotte to the late L.H. Lawing, Sr. and Mildred Gribble Lawing. He lived less than four months without his loving wife of 61 years, Billlie, who passed away in December. A brother, James Ernest Lawing also predeceased him. He graduated from Central High School in Charlotte in 1952 and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1956. In the summer of 1954 he worked as a camp counselor at Camp Gay Valley (now Gwynn Valley) in Transylvania County. There he met his future wife, Billie Sue West, of Griffin, GA, who was also working that summer as a counselor. They were married August 24, 1957. He went on to seminary at Duke University, and became an ordained Methodist minister. The early years of his career were spent “riding the circuit”, accepting charges of small Methodist churches in central and eastern North Carolina. These years saw the birth of his four children. In 1966 he returned to Brevard with his young family, joining the faculty of Brevard College, where he taught courses in religion and held various administrative positions. He was an avid fan of Tornado basketball, and sometimes called the games on local radio station WPNF. He later served in administrative roles with Blue Ridge Community College. He served as the minister of Cummings Memorial Methodist Church in Horse Shoe, NC from 1975 to 1990, and associate minister of First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville until his retirement in 1996. Bud’s sermons were memorable for their use of humor, and his early years in the church provided ample material. Bud also had a keen interest in astronomy, and his sermons often included detailed descriptions of astronomical phenomena like novas, nebulas, and black holes to illustrate the vastness and wonder of God’s creation. Bud was an avid fan of North Carolina Tarheel sports throughout his life, with a particular love of the basketball team. Given his educational background, he was the rare North Carolinian who was also a Duke fan. He was also president of the Brevard High Blue Devil Club during the stadium expansion to its current size in the 1980s. He loved the game of tennis, and played regularly in retirement. Bud is survived by his four children; Erin Lawing (Asheville), Scott Lawing and wife Nancy (Brevard), Kim Lawing (Brevard), and Susan Barnes and husband Steve (Asheville); and two grandchildren, Rachel Lawing (Jersey City, NJ), and Alex Lawing (Charlotte). He is also survived by life-long friend Eric Jonas and wife Darlene of Charlotte. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the elite team of caregivers that came together to care for Bud and Billie in their declining years. For these women, this was not just a job, it was a ministry and a calling. There are no words to accurately express the gratitude they are owed for the love, dignity and humor they brought into their lives each day: Cathy Conley, Rebecca Freeman, Summer Griffin, April Hutchison, Victoria Kerr, Melaney Owen, Kasey Meyer, Brittany Smith, Kalie Weigle. In a memorable sermon called “The Stewardship of Joy”, Bud asked his congregation to consider how they would respond if, upon arrival in the next life, when asked to account for their time on Earth, they were asked an unexpected question: did you have a good time? A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brevard on Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 p.m., with reception to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 325 North Broad Street, Brevard NC 28712. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
February 18, 1934 - April 9, 201902/18/193404/09/2019
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Obituary

Luther H. “Bud” Lawing, Jr. died Tuesday, April 9, 2019 after a period of declining health. He was a devoted son, husband, father and friend who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was born February 18, 1934, in Charlotte to the late L.H. Lawing, Sr. and Mildred Gribble Lawing. He lived less than four months without his loving wife of 61 years, Billlie, who passed away in December. A brother, James Ernest Lawing also predeceased him. He graduated from Central High School in Charlotte in 1952 and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1956. In the summer of 1954 he worked as a camp counselor at Camp Gay Valley (now Gwynn Valley) in Transylvania County. There he met his future wife, Billie Sue West, of Griffin, GA, who was also working that summer as a counselor. They were married August 24, 1957. He went on to seminary at Duke University, and became an ordained Methodist minister. The early years of his career were spent “riding the circuit”, accepting charges of small Methodist churches in central and eastern North Carolina. These years saw the birth of his four children. In 1966 he returned to Brevard with his young family, joining the faculty of Brevard College, where he taught courses in religion and held various administrative positions. He was an avid fan of Tornado basketball, and sometimes called the games on local radio station WPNF. He later served in administrative roles with Blue Ridge Community College. He served as the minister of Cummings Memorial Methodist Church in Horse Shoe, NC from 1975 to 1990, and associate minister of First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville until his retirement in 1996. Bud’s sermons were memorable for their use of humor, and his early years in the church provided ample material. Bud also had a keen interest in astronomy, and his sermons often included detailed descriptions of astronomical phenomena like novas, nebulas, and black holes to illustrate the vastness and wonder of God’s creation. Bud was an avid fan of North Carolina Tarheel sports throughout his life, with a particular love of the basketball team. Given his educational background, he was the rare North Carolinian who was also a Duke fan. He was also president of the Brevard High Blue Devil Club during the stadium expansion to its current size in the 1980s. He loved the game of tennis, and played regularly in retirement. Bud is survived by his four children; Erin Lawing (Asheville), Scott Lawing and wife Nancy (Brevard), Kim Lawing (Brevard), and Susan Barnes and husband Steve (Asheville); and two grandchildren, Rachel Lawing (Jersey City, NJ), and Alex Lawing (Charlotte). He is also survived by life-long friend Eric Jonas and wife Darlene of Charlotte. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the elite team of caregivers that came together to care for Bud and Billie in their declining years. For these women, this was not just a job, it was a ministry and a calling. There are no words to accurately express the gratitude they are owed for the love, dignity and humor they brought into their lives each day: Cathy Conley, Rebecca Freeman, Summer Griffin, April Hutchison, Victoria Kerr, Melaney Owen, Kasey Meyer, Brittany Smith, Kalie Weigle. In a memorable sermon called “The Stewardship of Joy”, Bud asked his congregation to consider how they would respond if, upon arrival in the next life, when asked to account for their time on Earth, they were asked an unexpected question: did you have a good time? A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brevard on Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 p.m., with reception to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 325 North Broad Street, Brevard NC 28712. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

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Events

Apr
28
Service
Sunday, April 28 2019
02:00 PM
First United Methodist Church of Brevard
325 N. Broad St.
Brevard, NC 28712
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