Nov. 4, 1926 – Nov. 12, 2013
Mr. Lawrence was born in Palos, Alabama, on November 4, 1926 and God took him to his eternal home after 87 years. Mr. Lawrence was proceeded in death by his father and mother, Huber D. (Bud) and Mary Elizabeth Morrow Lawrence Jones and his sister Jane L. Smith. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Evonne Duggan Lawrence, Children Joseph M. Lawrence, Jr. (Isabel), James D. Lawrence (Maureen), Joan L. Teer, Janis D. Lawrence, John M. Lawrence, Sr. (Judy). Grandchildren, Joseph Lawrence, III (Margaret), Christopher Lawrence (Patricia), Jeffrey Lawrence (Cheyenne), James Lawrence, Jr., Jana Lawrence–Fearn; Michael Teer (Blair), Brianna Teer, Jenifer Tomasello, Richard Tomasello (Crystal), Deana Tomasello, John Lawrence, Jr., Jaclyn Lawrence Hogan (Brian). Fourteen Great Grand Children.
Mr. Lawrence attended Norwood Elementary School and Phillips High School. He served in the Coast Guard in World War II prior to marrying Evonne Duggan in May 1947. He worked at McWane Cast Iron Pipe from May 1947 until his retirement in March 1992. Mr. Lawrence had been an active member at Norwood Methodist Church, Forestdale United Methodist Church and is presently a member of Crumly Chapel United Methodist Church. He belongs to Dolcita Masonic Lodge #596; Gardendale Chapter #531, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Lawrence served as Worthy Patron multiple times and was the Grand Representative of South Dakota in Alabama in 2001.
The family wishes to thank all of the Staff of AlaCare, especially Gwin, Sherry, DeAnna, Janis and Rev. Alton King for their care of our loved one and for the consideration and help to the family.
Pallbearers will be the grandsons and nephew, Richard Duggan. Members of Dolcita Lodge, Gardendale Chapter and Louise Richardson Chapter will be honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers donations should be made to St. Vincent’s Hospital Foundation, 2800 University Blvd., Suite 304, Birmingham, Alabama 35237.
A visitation will be held at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel on Friday, November 15th, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Order of the Eastern Star, Memorial Rites performed following visitation. A funeral service will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Ed Sims and Jaime Pangman with entombment following in the Oakwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with Masonic Rites.
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