Harriet Joan Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Harriet Joan, 79, of Brandon, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2013. She was born on December 9, 1933 in Maplewood, New Jersey to Harry Steinmetz, a WWI veteran, and Caroline Hettenbach Steinmetz. She attended and graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ and Avery College in Danville, VA. Harriet had a busy professional life as a medical secretary at Doctor’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, a bookkeeper at her husband’s law office but most importantly a homemaker and a mother. She was a member of the Ybor City Lions Club Ladies Auxiliary, Stetson Law School Lawyerette Law Club, and an active leader in the Girl Scouts with her daughter. Harriet had many hobbies and interests including crocheting, crafts, reading, traveling, and collecting stuffed bears. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 54 years, Irving G. Lawrence; son, David Richard Lawrence of Brandon; daughter, Sharon Lynn Crawford and son-in-law, Victor Crawford of Nashville, TN; sisters, Vera Craig of Brandon and Ruth Ecker of Virginia; grandchildren, Christopher Michael Wethington, Chelsea Marissa Wethington and Jacob Brennan Crawford; and niece, Cynthia Whitman. Visitation will be held 6-8 pm Sunday, November 3 and Funeral Service 10:00 am Monday, November 4. Both services will be held at Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her honor to the Wounded Warriors Project or Disabled American Veterans. Harriet will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but will live on in their hearts and memories.