Lawrence David Bellew

HULL - Lawrence David Bellew, 86, passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

A native of Collinsville, Ala., he was the son of the late R.E. Bellew and Susie Anna Tolbert Bellew. He was preceded in death by sons, Lawrence David Bellew Jr. and Jimmy Glenn Bellew; sisters, Helen Howard and Addie Self; and brother, Johnny Bellew. He served in the United States Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart for wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Bellew joined the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in May of 1956 and retired in July 1976 as a detective sergeant. He owned and operated David Bellew Used Car Dealership and was a member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church. He loved to water ski and was doing slalom tricks up until just a few years ago.

Survivors include daughters, Donna Joyce Bellew Morgan and husband, Hugh, Athens, and Wendy Fletcher-Clements and husband, James Clements, Watkinsville; a son, Lance Bellew, Hull; brother, James Ballew and wife, Mae, Athens; grandchildren, Lane Fletcher, Laura Fletcher, Rebecca Clements, Timothy Clements, Dana Bellew Brady and husband, Chris, Duranne Bellew, Bryan Bellew, Benjamin Morgan, Stacey Smith, and Kelly Lord; 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 25, in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Dan Fuller officiating. Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Park with both Military and Police Honor Guards. The Athens-Clarke County Police Honor Guard served as pallbearers. Hugh R. Morgan, Hill Steed, and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department served as honorary pallbearers.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.