Dr. Raymond L. Kolb

Dr. Raymond Lowrey Kolb, Southern Baptist missionary to Brazil from 1944 to 1988, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior on December 1, 2014. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ann Cochran, of Dublin, GA, the couple dedicated their lives to bringing God’s message of salvation to the people of their beloved Brazil. A celebration of God’s love through these His servants will be held at 10:00 AM, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 at Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard. Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, 4:30 to 7:00, and again on Saturday, Dec. 6, 9:00 to 9:45 at the same location. The family anticipates a memorial service in a few weeks when the remaining family can gather from around the world.

Raymond was also preceded in death by the couple’s first child, David Kolb, who died at birth in 1947, in Teresina, Brazil; his parents, Felix Roy Kolb and Effie Ozel West; and his sister, Mary Frances Kolb Fitzgerald (Dewitt, both deceased) of Southaven, MS.

Raymond is survived by his remaining children, Martha Kolb Stringer (James), Carl Franklin Kolb, James (Jimmy) Cochran Kolb (Debi), and Anita Beth Kolb Brooks (Clay); his grandchildren, Jonathan Breck Stringer (Laura), Lydia Rayanne Brooks Lowman (Kees), Jeremy Kolb Stringer (Bethany), Christopher Clark Kolb (Tuyet), Danielle Buckley (Justin), Esther Marie Brooks Morgan (Nathan), Dakota James Kolb, Jasmine JoAnn Kolb, Elijah Clay Brooks, Ruth Joy Brooks, Isaac Kelly Brooks; and his great-grand children: Abby, Jonathan, Catherine and Aven Stringer, Mathis, Charlee Ann, and Foster Morgan, Sydney Lowman, Ian Kolb, Logan and Briana Buckley, and Brenden Tubbs. Raymond is survived by his brother, Dr. Paul Kolb, (Joann, deceased), of Monroe, LA; and sister, Eileen Kolb Harris (Jimmy, deceased) of Jackson, MS; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Raymond treasured his missionary colleagues, as co-laborers in a divine cause and adventure. They were more as extended family than co-workers. Their children, the missionary kids (MKs they were called) saw the adult missionaries as uncles and aunts – family.

Raymond loved children and they in turn were drawn to his gentle, quiet humor. Grandchildren and MK’s alike loved to play with him.

Raised plowing the family farm in Union County, Raymond graduated from New Harmony High School, Sunflower Junior College, Mississippi College, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he earned a doctorate in theology.

During the couple’s 44 years in service in missions, Raymond undertook various roles: field missionary, treasurer-manager of the North Brazil Baptist Loan board, Treasurer for the North Brazil Mission, director of the Corrente Baptist Institute (sometimes accumulating the work of teacher, treasurer, and chaplain), pilot of mission aircraft, seminary professor, pastor or interim pastor of sixteen different churches, and associate to the area director for Southern Baptist work in South America.

Retiring in 1988 to Clinton, MS, Raymond and Ann enjoyed the fellowship they found in First Baptist Church in Clinton, the Joymakers senior adult choir, Sunday School, and the ministry at Birch Hill.

Raymond believed, “methods and organization can only be their best when working through the lives of those who are genuinely dedicated to Christ and are honestly seeking to obey His commands and to follow His leadership.” His prayers most often included, “Father, not my will but Thine.”

The family extends special gratitude to Raymond’s physician Dr. Holland “Mac” Addison, the staff in the Memory Care Unit at Trace Point in Clinton, Compassionate Sitters Services, and longtime friends at First Baptist Church in Clinton, for the thoughtful care they provided Raymond during his retirement years.

The family supports scholarships at North Brazil Baptist Seminary in Recife, Brazil, where Raymond taught. Memorials can be made by check to Northside Baptist Church, 1475 East Northside Dr., Clinton, MS, 39056, to be forwarded to the seminary.