Nathaniel (Sunny) Lawrence Sr.

Born February 6, 1936 in Atlanta Georgia to Macon and Eddie Pearl Lawrence as the second of 4 children (sister Olivia, deceased; younger brother Richard, deceased; and the last brother Eddie Paul. He was raised about 3 blocks from where Martin Luther King, Jr. resided and their paths crossed as young boys growing up in Atlanta.

Sunny attended Butler Street Baptist Church and went to public school in Atlanta before relocating to Los Angeles in 1948, to live with his Aunt Bea, and his Sister Olivia. He then joined the Saint Paul Baptist Church and sang in the Choir. He attended Carver Junior High and later graduated from Jefferson High School in Los Angeles.

Immediately after graduation Sunny joined the U S Navy and went to San Diego for training. He worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. When aboard Navy ships he was the Writer/Editor of the ships newspaper and prided himself on being able to type 90 wpm on the old manual typewriter. He served 1 ½ tours in Vietnam. Nathaniel rose to the rank of (E-9) Command Master Chief eventually retired from the Navy with 30 years of service. After retirement he joined the San Diego Sheriff's Department as a sworn officer where he had 18 years of service and retired from there. He was appointed and served on the San Diego County Grand Jury on two separate occasions.

Nathaniel traveled all over the world while in the Navy. After he retired his favorite pass time was also traveling all over the world as a civilian on cruise ships especially in the Caribbean.

He met his wife Theresa in 1957 through Theresa’s younger sister Delores Gilbeaux-Garbutt. They were married in August 31, 1958 and from this union came five sons, which he was very proud of. After marriage Sunny joined the Catholic Church and became an active member. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his Wife (Theresa); Father (Macon), Mother (Eddie Pearl); Grandmother (Emma Jennings); Sister (Olivia), Brother (Richard); his favorite Aunt (Florida B. Jennings).

He leaves behind his 5 sons Steven, David, John, Nathaniel II, John, and Mark, his Brother Eddie Paul and Sister-in-law (Margareat) of Los Angeles, California, his special friend Myra, 9-grandsons, 5-granddaughters, 7-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.