Max Lassiter

Dr. Max Errington Lassiter died Monday, November 6, at 7:45 PM     He was born on August 7, 1931, in Johnston County, North Carolina, the son of Blake Lassiter and Alma Sydney Creech Lassiter.  He was the oldest and only son, and brother to five younger sisters: Shirley, Ruth, Sylvia, Sue, and Linda.     Dr. Lassiter was a graduate of Four Oaks High School in North Carolina.  He received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from Mars Hill College in 1951 and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Wake Forest University in 1953.  He received his MD degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1957.  After an internship at the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in New York City, he served two years as a Captain in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.  He then did a pediatric residency at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina.     He joined the practice of pediatrics in Danville with Dr. Jefferson Beale in 1962, and practiced pediatric medicine for 46 years.  He was a certified pediatrician, member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and past president of the Danville Pittsylvania Academy of Medicine.  In the mid-1960s, he played a key role in integrating what became Danville's Memorial Hospital.      Dr. Lassiter was most well known as a beloved pediatrician, offering his time, energy, and services to all. Children remember his calming and intriguing treatments: bird whistles in the ear, elephant kisses, and, of course, shots in the arm.  He was an esteemed and uncommon man: kind, compassionate, and, above all else, giving — to his community, friends, family, and to all those he encountered.     He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Danville, where he served twice as Chairman of the Board of Deacons.  He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and received the 1999 Kiwanis Citizenship Award.  He has always been proud of the presentation of Danville's Young Man of the Year by Paul Harvey, Sr., in 1964.     Dr. Lassiter enjoyed working with youth, was active in Troop 354 for over 45 years, and was a scoutmaster for more than 30 of those years. While scoutmaster, 32 boys become Eagle Scouts, including his four sons.  He was a member of many local organizations. He was also an Amateur Radio Operator, and used only Morse code for his contacts.     Dr. Lassiter's dear wife, Laura Frances Pope Lassiter, died January 14, 2012.     He is survived by five children: Mark Timothy Lassiter and wife Jennifer of Black Mountain, North Carolina; Richard Max Lassiter and wife Jean of Collierville, Tennessee; David Blake Lassiter and wife Lee of Greensboro, North Carolina; Luke Errington (Eric) Lassiter and wife Beth of Charleston, West Virginia; Laura Lynette Lassiter Betz of Wilmington, North Carolina; twelve grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.     The funeral service will be conducted at First Baptist Church at 1 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2017, with Reverend John Carroll officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.     The family will receive friends at Townes Funeral Home on Friday, November 10, 2017, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.       In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or to the First Baptist Memorial Fund, 871 Main Street, Danville, Virginia, 24541.     Townes Funeral Home is serving the Lassiter family.