A.A. Milne wrote “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,” the sentiments of family and friends of Edward Eugene Landrus, aka Mr. Ed, who died June 7, 2024. He was 94. He most recently lived at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community in Thomasville, NC.
Born May 24, 1930, in Lacon, Ill, Ed was the son of Raymond Gilbert Landrus and Viola Smith Landrus, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Chenoa High School (Chenoa, Ill) in 1948, Shurtleff College (Alton, Illinois) in 1955, and Southeastern Seminary (Wake Forest, NC) in 1961. While at Shurtleff, he fell in love with Carolyn Coleman Landrus whom he married in 1954.
He served as Minister of Education at Hopewell Baptist Church (Hopewell, VA) and First Baptist Church (Morganton, NC). He then as served Minister of Children at Providence Baptist Church and Hickory Grove Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC) and Arlington Baptist Church (Mint Hill, NC). He was instrumental in providing family counseling, developing preschool and daycare programs, and guiding families in Christian education in churches where he worked. Children fondly called him Mr. Ed even after they reached adulthood.
Ed loved gardening, yardwork, baking, quilting, rocking babies, reading, teasing and sharing good jokes, as well as spending time with his family…interests he instilled in his three daughters, Rhoda, Kathryn and Margaret. He was known for his numerous lunches at his favorite Chinese restaurant in Charlotte—Shun Lee. He blessed church members, friends, family and co-workers with his banana nut breads, carrot cakes, rhubarb jam, and wedding cakes. On Wednesday nights at some of his churches, he could be found in the kitchen cooking a meal for as many as 300!
In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, brothers Rolland, Willis, Chuck and Gilbert as well as sisters Lois Jean, Eunice and Alice. He is survived by brothers Harold (Cleveland, TN) and Raymond (Hazelwood, MO). He is also survived by his three daughters and their spouses—Rhoda and Bruce Schaffer (Newport News, VA), Kathryn and Toby Griffin (Thomasville, NC) and Margaret and Roy Hollar (Mt. Pleasant, SC). He proudly boasted about his six grandchildren—Mallory, Martha, Leah, Noah, Ben and Sam, as well as their spouses and partners. Numerous nieces and nephews fondly called him Uncle Edward.
A celebration of his life will be held June 29 at Arlington Baptist Church in Mint Hill, NC. The service will be held in the church chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception and visitation with light snacks in the church’s Family Life Center. Attendees are welcome to join the family for a graveside remembrance on church grounds following the reception.
The family appreciates the caring staff of the skilled nursing care division of Piedmont Crossing, as well as the staff of Hospice of Davidson County. Donations in memory of Mr. Ed can be made to Hospice of Davidson County or the Hospice chapter of your choice. You may also donate new children’s books in his honor to any church library.
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