 Johnny Mac Lavender passed away October 24th, 2017, at the Testa Hospice House in Kings Mountain. Mr. Lavender was born on April 16, 1945 in Shelby. He was the son of the late Columbus Quitman"CQ" and Margaret Livion Edwards Lavender, Mr. Lavender was a business owner in the Shelby community. He owned and operated Lavender's Inc. for thirty years and lavender's Real Estate for twenty. Johnny's greatest passion was for the Honduras children's mission, lead by Chris and Donna Keeter and sponsored by First Baptist KM. Over the past twenty-five year, Mr. Lavender has traveled numerous times to assist in building facilities and minister to the families in need. The children of that society referred to him as "Papa Noel" due to his resembles to Santa Clause. Johnny believed that Jesus was the savior and he served many faith based communities. Outside of his membership to New Hope Baptist Church in Earl and First Baptist Church in Shelby, he was a founding member of a men's small group that met every Tuesday morning @ DQ in Shelby. In addition to his parents, Johnny is preceded in death by and his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Starnes, and a brother-in-law Steve Jackson.
Johnny enjoyed fifty-one years of marriage to his wife Martha Clark Lavender. He also left behind four children and their spouses; Mark & Page Lavender Thompson, Chip & Lynne Lavender, Chad Lavender, and Patrick and Stephanie Lavender. Mr. Lavender also had two devoted sisters and their spouses; Peggy lavender Jackson from Earl, NC, and Jerry and Judy Cooper of Woodruff, SC. He was also blessed with numerous nieces & nephews. In his later years, Johnny's pride and joy was his grandchildren. They each referred to him lovingly as "Big Daddy". Tyler & Bailey Lavender Mitchell, Cole Thompson, Carver Thompson, Cody Lavender, Ely Thompson, Katie Lavender, and Jay Lavender were blessed to have their grandfather as a teacher, a leader, a guardian, and a friend. His legacy will live on in the wisdom and love he shared with this generation.
The service for Mr. Lavender will be held at 2PM on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Russ Bradley and Rev. Chris Keeter officiating. The family will receive friends immediately afterwards in the Hope Center beside the church.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Lavender asked that donations be made to one of two ministries. "The Honduras Mission" - mail tax deductible checks to: First Baptist Church Kings Mountain, 605 W. King Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 (memo line: Honduras Mission) or to the Cleveland County Hospice , 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150, that showed him great respect and love at the end of his life.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Lavender.
Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com |
