Louis E. Lavallee, 77

Louis Edward Lavallee, 77, joined his wife Martha (who died March 3, 2025) in heaven on Aug. 8, 2025, while surrounded by family.

Louis was born on July 16, 1948, in Laconia, to Richard and Priscilla Lavallee. Growing up, he enjoyed reading, riding his bike, baseball in the backyard, sledding, boating, hiking and fishing. Some of these activities he continued into later years, as well as studying Hebrew and Greek.

After his stroke in 2013, while his physical activities were limited, he still enjoyed listening to classical and a cappella music, singing his favorite hymns, hearing news about his children and grandchildren, and sending cards to all his family.

He graduated from Laconia High in 1966, and Gordon College in 1969. While at Gordon, he met the love of his life, Martha Simons, and they married on July 10, 1971. He taught math at Lexington High School in Massachusetts, then they moved to Germany, where he was stationed in the Army. Upon returning to the U.S., he finished his master's of engineering at Harvard, then moved to Boscawen, where their first two children were born.

In 1980, the family relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, so he could attend Reformed Theological Seminary, earning a master's of divinity degree. While in Jackson, they had three more children. Lou worked as an environmental engineer for over 35 years, first in New Hampshire, then in Mississippi, until 2013.

Louis faithfully served at First Baptist Church in Concord, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Providence Presbyterian Church as Sunday school teacher and elder. He also led prayer groups for the ministry in Japan, visited the elderly, shut-ins, and nursing homes. He was a strong supporter of his wife as she led Good News Club for the children in their neighborhood.

Louis was a lifelong educator. He homeschooled his five children, teaching them middle and high school classes before going to work. He encouraged them to curate musical talents and attempted to teach them Greek, Latin, Hebrew and systematic theology. Outside the home, he taught New Testament Greek at Belhaven University.

Louis is survived by his children, Abi/Roger Lowther, Laura Lavallee, Elizabeth/Ashley Abraham, Virginia/Thrinicko Beaboa, Paul/Joy Lavallee, and son-in-law Cal Horlings; 11 grandchildren; siblings Dick/Kate, Ron, Floretta/Ken Duguay, Russ/Susannah, RoseMary, Roland/Sally, Philip/Jennifer, Marjorie Martin. He is predeceased by two granddaughters, Rebekah and Lydia.

Calling hours were from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Parkway Funeral Home with service following at 4 p.m. Burial was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16, at MS Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.