“One in a million”
The Rev. Laura Evelyn Trent was born on D-Day June 6, 1944 in Huntsville, Alabama. Her parents were Ann Stevens Lewis from Misissippi and Leighton Lynn Trent from Alabama.
The Lewis family in Mississippi has a long line of Methodist pastors in the branches of its family tree, making Laura a fourth generation Methodist pastor.
Her father, LL Trent worked with the YMCA and YWCA, both in Asheville and in Chattanooga. Her mother, Ann Lewis Trent was a math teacher in Chattanooga City Schools, who voluntarily integrated in the early 1950s to teach at Orchard Knob Junior High.
Laura graduated from City High School in 1962 and went to Milsaps college in Jackson, MS where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Classics and was a member of the National Classics Honor Society.
In 1989, Laura acted on her call to ordained ministry by completing the candidacy process and attending Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where she graduated Magna Cume Laude. Ordained by Bishop Clay Lee at Forest Avenue United Methodist Church, Laura faithfully served the Holston Annual Conference for 25 years, including five years at St. Luke UMC where her daughter now serves, and seven years on loan to the English Speaking United Methodist Church in Vienna, Austria. In addition to numerous Holston churches, Laura also served at Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC; Greer Chapel UMC in Flowood, MS; and Sitka UMC in Sitka, Alaska.
Laura is survived by her twins, the Rev. Evelyn Harris (Eric) and Trent Boutz (Jenna); her brother, Bill (JoAndra), nephews Derek (Dixie) and Leighton (Jennifer); and her grandchild Avi Harris, along with a great-niece and great-nephews, and many, many other friends and family. Laura was preceded in her death by her parents, LL and Ann, and her brother Lynn.
Laura loved to travel and loved meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. There are many people around the world who are mourning her death and sharing gratitude for her life well lived and well loved.
Laura was fond of saying, “We’re all just walking each other home.”
A funeral service will be held at Brainerd UMC on Saturday, April 29, at 3 p.m. with committal immediately following in the Brainerd Cemetery. The Rev. Stephen Overall will be officiating.
The family asks for those who attend to wear bright colors in memory of Laura. Memorial contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to Brainerd UMC: 4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411; or St. Luke UMC: 3210 Social Circle, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415.