He was born in Norfolk, VA on April 24, 1932. Lawrence spent his early childhood on a farm in Burnsville, NC. He graduated from Norview High School and attended the Norfolk branch of William & Mary. During his youth he was a member of the Sea Scouts, which instilled his lifelong love of boating. He joined the National Guard and later served in the Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Lawrence was a Member of Kiwanis, American Battlefield Trust and ExxonMobil Annuitants Club. He also served as an Elder at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church where he was a member for 55 years.
Lawrence had a successful 40-year career with ExxonMobil retiring as a Senior Marketing Representative. Through his tenure he established many lifelong friendships. He loved traveling and particularly enjoyed Sanibel, Florida, and Stowe, Vermont. One of Lawrence's favorite passions was spending time and boating at their summer cottage in Poquoson.
Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Anna Whitehurst and sister, Dorothy Horton. He leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion through his surviving family: his loving wife, Grace; daughter, Nathalyn Field (Bill); son, Warren Whitehurst; brother, Howard Whitehurst (Madeline); grandsons, Braden Field (Sarah), Parker Field (Meagan), and Matthew Whitehurst. He greatly enjoyed his four young great-grandchildren: Cohen, Cooper, Ryan and Landon. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 26 at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News at 3:00 PM. The memorial service will be livestreamed at mywpc.org and will be available any time after on the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church YouTube channel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lawrence’s memory to the Whitehurst Music Scholarship at the University of Lynchburg, 1501 Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24501 or to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185.
