There’s something truly inspiring about Craig Melvin. Beyond his role as a trusted newscaster, viewers have long admired his humility and the way he talks about his family with such warmth. In December 2020, Craig shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of his older brother, Lawrence Meadows. It was a moment that reminded us all of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the people we love.
Who Was Lawrence Meadows, Craig Melvin's Beloved Brother?
Lawrence Meadows was more than just Craig Melvin's older brother—he was a man of profound faith and compassion. He co-owned a funeral home in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a place where he helped countless families navigate their own losses with grace and dignity. Lawrence’s journey into ministry began with a master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in ministry from Gardner-Webb University. He went on to become a respected Baptist minister, touching the lives of many in his community.
Married to his childhood sweetheart, Angela Cobbs Meadows, Lawrence built a beautiful family. Together, they became parents to two amazing children, Addie M. Meadows and Lawson R. Meadows. Lawrence wasn’t just a pastor or a funeral home owner; he was a husband, a father, and a brother who left an indelible mark on everyone he met.
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What Happened to Lawrence Meadows?
In February 2017, Craig Melvin shared the devastating news that Lawrence had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. For anyone, hearing the word "cancer" is a punch in the gut, but for Craig, it hit especially hard. “You never want to hear of anyone getting a cancer diagnosis,” Craig said in a heartfelt reflection. “It nearly knocked me off my feet.”
Lawrence’s battle began when doctors discovered a massive, baseball-sized tumor in his abdomen back in 2016. After the tumor was removed, they found that the cancer had already spread. Lawrence started chemotherapy at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Despite the aggressive treatments, Lawrence fought with courage and determination, never losing sight of what truly mattered—his family and faith.
Tragically, Lawrence passed away in December 2020 at the young age of 43, just four years after his initial diagnosis. Craig took to Instagram to honor his brother’s memory, writing a deeply personal tribute. “We lost our older brother this week,” he wrote. “Lawrence Meadows was a husband (to Angela, his childhood sweetheart), father (to Addie, 11 and Lawson, 7), Baptist minister, entrepreneur, and one of the best human beings you would’ve ever known.”
Craig continued, “Colon cancer robbed him and us of so much. He was diagnosed at 39. He died Wednesday at 43. He spent a fair amount of time over the past few years raising awareness about the disease. We’ll be keeping up that fight. We love you, bro.”
Craig Melvin’s Mission to Raise Awareness
In the wake of Lawrence’s passing, Craig Melvin became an advocate for colon cancer awareness. He partnered with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, a group dedicated to funding research and supporting families affected by the disease. “The reality is, had Lawrence gotten checked earlier, he might still be with us,” Craig told People. It’s a sobering reminder that early detection can make all the difference.
Craig explained that Lawrence’s symptoms—abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss—were ignored for too long. “And I’m not saying anything that he wouldn’t have said when he was alive,” Craig added. “There were signs that he dismissed as other things.”
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In March 2021, Craig took a step further by accompanying his younger brother, Ryan Melvin, to his first colonoscopy. It was a powerful moment that demonstrated the importance of screening and prevention. “We need to do better about getting ourselves screened so we can live longer and have healthier, more prosperous lives,” Ryan told Today after the procedure.
