Mary Lou Lawrence

On Friday, April 9, 2021 Mary Lou Lawrence peacefully entered the gates of heaven at the age of 88. Mary Lou was born on October 2, 1932, in Morley, MO. to A.C. (Cash) and Pearl Denbow Hampton. She spent her childhood and teen years in Kewanee, MO., playing volleyball and softball and graduating from Kewanee High School in 1951. She attended Business College in St. Louis before marrying the love of her life, Fred Lawrence on October 2, 1952. She and Freddie were married for 65 years and together raised two daughters, Melinda and Debbie.

Mary Lou was known for her rich and vigorous spirit. She was generous and kind, but always ready to speak her mind with quick wit and a mischievous grin. She worked tirelessly and was never still; whether managing a business or cleaning up the dinner table, she did all things with dedication and pride.

Mary Lou’s closest friends would tell you of her days singing harmony with Freddie in the gospel quartet. How she spread the love of Jesus through thoughtful cards and encouraging messages. They would also speak of long conversations and full-bellied laughs around card tables in the evenings. Her family would tell you that she was unconditionally supportive and unwaveringly present. She opened her home and her heart to anyone who needed it, never asking for anything in return. Mary Lou was funny and charming, a dedicated servant, and a friend to all. She was a bright spark that the whole world could see, and each person was made better just by knowing her.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her devoted husband, her loving parents, her brother Charlie Bill Hampton, and her sister Dorothy Collier. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Melinda and Doug Thompson of Cabot, AR. and Debbie and Glen Guttenfelder of Carlyle, IL., six grandchildren Glendon (Monica) Guttenfelder of Naples, FL., Brooke (Josh) Meier of Cabot, AR., Brandon (Tracie) Guttenfelder of Stockton, CA., Tyson (Kiley) Kelley of Kansas City, MO., Garrett Thompson of Cabot, AR., and Kirsten (Doug) Weaver of St. Louis, MO., 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special thank you to Dr. Dass, Nicole, APN, and the wonderful staff at Lakewood Health and Rehab for their kind and loving care.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, MO. David Mitchell, pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Cabot, AR., officiating.

Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, MO.

Pallbearers will be Garrett Thompson, Chuck Hampton, Josh Meier and Doug Weaver.

Honorary pallbearers will be Arnold Myrick and Mike Collier.

Memorial donations may be sent to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Baptist Hospice Little Rock, AR., or The Gideon’s International.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com