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Frank Garland Laine, Jr., 1923-1993 Frank Garland Laine, Jr. entered the ministry in 1965 at age41. Following high school graduation in his native Chester, Virginia, Frank attended The College of William and Mary. His education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in 1942 for the duration. He served in the ETO where he was wounded in Luxembourg and received the Purple Heart. After his discharge, he re- entered William and Mary and graduated with an A.B. degree, and then earned his law degree from the T.C. Williams Law School, University of Richmond. While teaching school in Ohio, he met and married Beverly Jean Henninger, his wife of 41 years. The son of a Methodist family, Frank was actively involved in church life before his call into the representative ministry. The Methodist emphasis on God's all-encompassing grace gave expression to his own experience of God in Jesus Christ. At the time of his call to the ministry, he was an insurance adjustor. He and Beverly and their six children were actively involved in the Keysville Methodist Church. At that point in the long history of the church, Frank was the first to enter the ministry from Keysville Church. His first appointment was the Lunenburg Charge, Kenbridge. He later served the Brunswick Charge, Lawrenceville; Fieldale Church; Scottsville Church; Boonsboro Church, Lynchburg; and Fairview Church, Roanoke. He did not seek the limelight nor positions of prominence. He was an ever-willing servant, unselfish and nonjudgmental, faithfully serving the charges to which he was appointed. At various times he served his districts and the conference, and was especially proud of his service on the board of the Virginia United Methodist Agency for the Retarded. Retiring in 1990 following 25 years of service, Frank and Beverly returned to their home in Keysville and continued a most active church involvement. He brought with him his sincerity, his humor, and his love of the arts. Few things gave him as much pleasure as being on his "farm," where he appreciated God's bountiful gifts: the land, birds, flowers, trees, and animals. For their 10 grandchildren, his “pretty girls” and the “rug rats,” the farm won’t be the same without Granddaddy. In addition to them, he was proud of each of their six children: Frank Garland, III, Robert Edward, Howard David, Kevin Barrett, Beverly Evelyn, and Melodie Suzanne. His final four months were a mixture of promise and pain, suffering and blessing. Surrounded by his family and Christian friends, Frank claimed for himself the promises of God that he had taught in his ministry. He died February 24. Funeral services were held at Keysville United Methodist Church by the Rev. Henry E. Riley, Jr., his district superintendent, the Rev. Stephen B. Putney, his nephew; and Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., his pastor. It was one of joy and thanksgiving, a celebration of life which Frank firmly believed it should be. Burial was at the Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery within sight of the farm. Through his life and his quiet faith, the love of God was shining through, lighting the path for others. God, country, family: these were his priorities, in spite of the weaknesses of the latter two. He would ask that you uphold them, and his final admonition from the Book of John which he dearly loved: "Let not your hearts be troubled. If you loved me, you would rejoice because I go to the Father. Continue in my love... my joy remain with you that your joy may be full... Love one another as I have loved you." -Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. |