Coggeshall, Albert

DARLINGTON- Albert Parrott Coggeshall, Sr. died Saturday, April 2, 2001 at home surrounded by his loving family. Son of Berryman Edwards Coggeshall and Lurline Parrott Coggeshall, he was born on March 22, 1933 in Darlington, SC. He graduated from St. John‘s High School and Duke University. While at Duke he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was a manager for the Duke basketball team. He proudly served his country during the Korean War and was stationed at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico. He married the love of his life, Lola Brooks in August of 1955. In 1956 they returned home to his beloved town. He joined his father in the family business, W.D. Coggeshall and Company which was founded by his grandfather in 1892. He became manager and upon his father‘s death in 1966, the department store‘s CEO and President. While in Darlington, he took a very pro-active role in the town‘s political scene. He served two terms as a city councilman and then as Darlington‘s mayor from 1976 to 1984. He was also on the Board of Directors for Citizens and Southern National Bank. During his working years in Darlington, he was a member and deacon at the First Baptist Church. In 1965 the family joined Darlington Presbyterian Church where he also served as a deacon. Along with his wife, Lola, he was the youth group leader while their children were in high school. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, Darlington Country Club, the Men‘s Dance Club, and a charter member of the Darlingtonia Dance Club, and a lifetime board member of this club. He was also a member of Damon Hunt Club. His life was spent serving His Lord and his fellow men. He was generous in both his time and his resources. People loved being in his presence and he never met a stranger. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lola Brooks Coggeshall, and their four children and six grandchildren: Lola C. Early (Chuck) and their daughter, Lyall Miller Early; Albert P. Coggeshall, Jr. (Jeanie) and his daughter, Hunter Coggeshall Carter; Lurline C. Bryant (John) and children, John Creighton Bryant, Jr. (Ashley) and Edwin Fuller Bryant; Jean C. Lavespere (Mike) and sons, Michael Rabern Lavespere, Jr. and Brooks Coggeshall Lavespere. He is also survived by his two brothers, Dr. B.E. Coggeshall, Jr. (Ina) of Cheraw, and W.D. Coggeshall (Betty) of Murrells Inlet; his sister-in-law, Betty Jean Brooks Charles (Kenneth) of Florence and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Darlington Presbyterian Church directed by Belk Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Monday evening, 5-7 p.m. at their home, 202 North Ervin Street.