Laurence Paul Cutts passed from this life on February 22, 2022. Laurence was born in Snowdoun, Alabama on June 22, 1935, to Paul and Inez (Golson) Cutts. Laurence moved with his family to Chipley, Florida on January 1, 1943. He graduated from Washington County High School in 1954 and married Eloise Holley in 1955.

Laurence is a 3 rd generation beekeeper and ran a commercial beekeeping operation that spanned across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia until 1985 when he accepted the position of Chief Apiarist for the State of Florida. During his tenure, the varroa mite and small hive beetle were creating major problems for the beekeepers throughout the state. Under his guidance beekeepers had to learn a new way of beekeeping to combat these new pests. He served three terms as the president of the Florida State Beekeepers Association where he advocated for beekeepers and the beekeeping industry. He had a vision for Florida to have a research facility dedicated to the study of bees. He championed the effort to Build the Bee Lab. The University of Florida's Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab opened in 2018. His beekeeping legacy continues and is now its 5 th generation.

Laurence was a faithful servant of God and was a member of the Chipley church of Christ. He loved to sing and led singing for many years. He could not read music but could read shape notes and had a collection of hymnals that were written with shape notes. He was an avid storyteller, song writer and poet.

Laurence is preceded in death by his wife Eloise Holley Cutts; parents Paul and Inez (Golson) Cutts; his sisters Anola Stutzman, Rosemary Kimbrough and his brother James (Jimmy) Cutts.

Laurence is survived by his six children Rhenea Yontz (Darrel) Larry Cutts (Kelly), Bobby Cutts, Leanne Diehl (T.C.), Jan Page (Danny) and Stephen Cutts (Greta). 15 grandchildren: Devin Yontz (Stacy), Terry Yontz (Kalyn), Lauren Harward (Zane), Trevor Yontz (Karalei), Kirsten DiSalle (Brian), Justin Cutts (Savannah), Ryan Cutts (Jenna), Holley Davis (Johnny), Alex Cutts, Max Cutts, Whitney Diehl, Ella Page, Owen Page, Tyler Cutts (Ashley), and Logan Cutts (Kira).

He was loved by 20 Great-Grandchildren: Dalton Yontz, Caleb Yontz, Kolby Yontz, Carter Yontz, Cooper Yontz, Ethan Harward, Kayla Harward, Eli Harward, Penelope Yontz, Violet Yontz, Amelia Yontz, Lily Yontz, Brayden DiSalle, Skylar DiSalle, Walker Cutts, Kinley Cutts, Cade Cutts, Leah Cutts, James Cutts and Nora Cutts.

He is also survived by his sister LaNelle Cutts Weiss, his brother-in-law Earl Kimbrough and his sisters in law Linda Shaw Cutts and Linda Hayes Holley, numerous nephews and nieces and many close friends. As Laurence always said, "It is not a small world, it is a large family."

Family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, February 25 th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the chapel at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church in Chipley, FL with Darrel Yontz officiating. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Chipley, FL.

If a donation is preferred, a donation can be made to the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab by emailing Dr. Jamie Ellis at jdellis@ufl.edu.