Lawrence Lee "Speedy" Echols

Mr. Lawrence Lee “Speedy” Echols, 85, of Douglasville, Georgia passed away Thursday, August 29, 2007 at Wellstar Tranquility Hospice. He was born December 24, 1921 in Cherokee County, Georgia the son of the late Mr. Hampton Echols and the late Mrs. Ella Barrett Echols. Mr. Echols served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. He married Gloria Lee Maxwell on April 6, 1953. Mr. Echols began his service to the Dekalb County Fire Department in 1951 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1954. He later was promoted to Battalion Chief and served as Battalion Chief for 30 years until his retirement. He was a longtime member of the Chamblee-Sardis Lodge No. 444 F&AM and was a member of the Shriners. He was of the Baptist Faith. His family and friends lovingly referred to him by the nickname “Speedy”. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gloria Lee Maxwell Echols of Douglasville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dolores McCall of Douglasville, Sara Beary of Alpharetta, Sam and Helen Henley of Douglasville, Dan and Regina Henley of Douglasville, Nora and Fred Maxwell of Carnesville, and Harold Barron of Sandy Springs; several nieces and nephews also survive. The Graveside Service for Chief Echols will be conducted Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 1:00 PM from Sunrise Memorial Gardens with Pastor Jim Garrett, Jr. officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and Masonic Rites will be rendered by members of the Masonic Lodge. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, August 31, 2007 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Messages of condolences to the family may be sent to www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel is serving the Echols Family.