Lois A. Lawrence

LOIS ARMES LAWRENCE, PH. D., died April 17, 2011, in Houston, of pneumonia; she was 81 years old. Lois was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, where she graduated from Shawnee High School and attended Nazareth College. Her lifelong pursuit of learning resulted in her endowment of several educational projects supporting liberal arts and writing. Dr. Lawrence was a professor of English at Houston Baptist University after having received her advanced degrees from the University of Houston. She was the author of a series of “Aunt Louise” mysteries under the non de plume of Virginia Lee. Under her own name, Lois co-authored “The Flood of Memories,” an accounting of the Armes family’s experiences during the Great Depression, a devastating flood and World War II. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, John William Lawrence; and son, Danny Lee Lawrence. She is survived by her two sons, David Lee Lawrence and his wife Sandy, and Dennis Lee Lawrence and his wife Hui; her grandson, Michael Lee Lawrence; and great grandson, Sirius. In addition, her survivors include her brother, George F. Armes; sister, Martha Armes; and her nieces and nephews, William Tinnell, Marianne Tinnell Faure, Annette Zwernemann, Warren Armes, Michael Armes, Ann Happel, Joan Spencer, Lora Stewart, Yvonne McCowen, Thomas Naigli, Mark Naigli, Barbara LaFaille, Steven Armes, and David Armes. She also leaves a circle of friends who embraced her always. A visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Earthman Southwest Chapel, Stafford. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Sugar Land. Rite of Committal will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Rosenberg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following educational projects: The Danny Lee Lawrence Writing Award, at University of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Episcopal, or Houston Baptist University, or to Webster University Class of 1959 Scholarship.