07:50 PM CST on Wednesday, December 14, 2005

By KARIN KELLY / WFAA-TV

Hundreds who knew Charlotte Lollar gathered in Fort Worth Monday to say goodbye after police said her 21-year-old son stabbed her to death Saturday.

Those who gathered to remember Lollar said she acted as a mother, teacher and friend to all ages. She worked at six different community centers over 20 years including R.D. Evans Community Center in Fort Worth where loved ones and friends came together to mourn.

"It's a big house actually for the community," said Diane Trettle.

While she worked at the center, Lollar welcomed people at the front door of the center from her desk, which she had decorated colorfully with stuffed animals and drawings from children.

She planned and played games for all people of all ages from the young ones to the seniors.

"We decided to put this wreath together and the kids made some candy canes," Trettle said.

Police said Lamar Clay Junior attacked three people the day Lollar was stabbed to death. The attack ended in the death of his mother and baby nephew and injured a family friend, police said.

Clay Junior was arrested and has been charged with two murders.

Lamar Clay Senior said his son was bipolar and had refused to take his medicine recently.

The Mental Health Association of Tarrant County runs a hotline five days a week helping people understand and cope with mental illnesses.

Experts said bipolar is a disorder that causes dramatic mood swings.

"Going often from depression to almost a mania or hyperactive period," said Linda Ragsdale, Mental Health Association of Tarrant County. "There's a tendency to lose contact with reality."

The funeral service for Lollar will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Shiloh Institute of God & Christ at 1270 Woodhaven Blvd. in Fort Worth.

For those who would like more information on mental health, the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County can be reached at (817)335-5405.

E-mail kkelly@wfaa.com