James L. V. McLaurin

James LeeVan McLaurin (lovingly known as Lee or LeeVan), was born to Samuel McLaurin Sr. and Rachel (Small) McLaurin on June 9, 1935 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. LeeVan was the 5th of 13 children. He was raised in Cherry Hill and accepted Christ at an early age. Lee was educated by the Baltimore City Public School System. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served from April 15, 1953 through April 15, 1957. While enlisted he was trained at Sheppard's Air Force Base in Texas where he was Senior Aircraft Mechanic. Lee Van also received the National Defense Service Medal. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1957 he married Olive V. Anderson. From this union, they were blessed with two daughters Lavern (Whitley) and Cynthia (McLaurin-Johnson). After LeeVan's military tour, he worked many jobs. As one would say "A jack of all trades and master of none." LeeVan had a great sense of humor and was quite witty. Unless being told now, you wouldn't know he used to read everything he could put his hands on, including the encyclopedias (cover to cover), dictionaries and of course the Bible. He loved to watch Westerns and game shows. Some of his other enjoyments were eating, listening to music, playing the piano, playing cards, playing dominoes, traveling, and being a jokester. He loved family events and cookouts. He was very sociable and had many friends. LeeVan shared a close and loving relationship with his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grands. They made sure we has included in everything, and he was always ready to go. LeeVan had many health issues, but you wouldn't know, because he stayed active as long as he could. He even battled Prostate Cancer and was in remission, but his kidneys kept getting worse. LeeVan was preceded in death by his siblings, Julius B. McLaurin, Elois Napper, Ella Mae Sample, Walter Small, Everta Crowner, Tachel Garrett, Samuel McLaurin Jr. and Clifton McLaurin. James LeeVan McLaurin leaves to cherish his memory, daughters, Lavern V. Whitley and Cynthia McLaurin-Johnson; ex-wife, Olive V. Hosey; grandchildren Dennis Flood Jr., Stacey V. Smith, Melvin Johnson Jr., Courtney R. Johnson, Stephanie M. Whitley, and Lauren E. Whitley; great-grandchildren Devon Flood, Alisa Flood, Jonathan Flood, Nia Flood, Kenneth T.J. Smith Jr., Stacey A. Smith, Christian A. Smith, Joshua I. Smith, Madison Johnson, Matthew Johnson and Patrice Johnson; sisters Anne Qualls, Thelma McBride, Delores Woodbury and Lynne Woodbury and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

James L. V. McLaurin

June 9, 1935 - December 13, 2019