Obituary for Laurance “Larry” Kannon Laurance H. “Larry” Kannon, 97, husband of Emily Dinkins Kannon, died Thursday, July 05, 2018, at his home. Born April 5, 1921, he survived the Depression as a farm boy in Texas, including five years in a Presbyterian orphanage. There he was taught gardening and animal husbandry.
After attending Louisiana State University, Larry served in World War II as a radio operator on a B-24, bombing Nazi munitions. Etched in his memory was the sight of thousands of white crosses dotting the war-torn countryside, as he was enroute to the liberation of Paris. He witnessed the jubilation of people freed from oppression.
Later on, Larry was to cherish more the sight of people freed from sin by receiving Jesus Christ. While teaching school in New Orleans, he earned a Masters in Religious Education from the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He worked with ministries reaching French Quarter hippies, housing project families, prison inmates, Hispanic immigrants, and seamen on incoming ships.
At age 50, Larry married Emily Dinkins, a Sumterite, having persuaded her that though New Orleans was “Sin City”, “Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound”. and for the next 16 years his stated goal was to raise “Godly children”. He continued ministering and teaching there and she worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship.
How blessed to be given four sons who could be a quartet, with a daughter to accompany them on the piano. In 1989, the family moved from Louisiana to Sumter, to the old Dinkins Plantation, and experienced farm life. They were very involved in Westside Baptist Church.
The children all attended Sumter Christian School and later Bob Jones University in Greenville. Larry insisted on Christian education, regardless of the sacrifice. No surprise then that all the children married Christian mates and are serving the Lord?
Larry was also instrumental in founding Westside Christian Academy. He never bragged about his accomplishments, knowing that the Lord will honor those who honor Him. The Sumter Item published many of Larry’s “Letters to the Editor” submissions on Pro-Life and other Christian topics.
Larry is survived by his wife and five children, Dayton (Erin) of Bangkok, Thailand, Will (Laura) of Rembert, Laurance (Kimberly) of Sumter, Emily Gray (Jeff) of Marietta, SC, and Charles (Sarah) of Greer, SC. He is also survived by a sister, Neva Durbin of Baker, LA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. As for grandchildren, there are 19 and counting.
The family appreciates the prayers and help of relatives, friends, caregivers, and medical personnel too numerous to name. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel. A private burial service will be held in the Dinkins Family Cemetery in Rembert.
The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please help support Christian education. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
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