Joe Harold Lawrence

Joe Harold Lawrence was known in life as Harold, but more often in the past several decades as Poppy. He was born at home in Adina, Texas on October 14,1932, to Clive Herman Lawrence and Grace Tadlock Lawrence. His birth came very early and surprised his parents. Born at around 2 1/2lbs, he spent his first night in a shoe box inside a dresser drawer while his father finished building the crib. He was nursed early on by his Aunt Birdie, who he credits with his surviving in a time where few babies survived under these same circumstances. Poppy passed away in his home on December 30, 2024, surrounded by his family. His greatest professional accomplishment was when he started Harold’s Wholesale, a grocery supply company, on Valentines Day 1977 with his wife. He married Mildred Laverne Buck on February 27, 1953, and celebrated 65 years of marriage before her death in 2018. Poppy played some football in his youth, he loved hunting, fishing, all sports, camping, and family gatherings. Poppy has been the patriarch of his family for over 50 years since the death of his Mother in 1973 and his Father and two brothers in the previous years. In retirement Poppy loved taking Nanny to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Lake Charles with her sisters and brother-in-law Fred. He loved serving at church until his last days. People knew Poppy as he waved and greeted everyone with a smile and a hug as they came to worship the Lord.

Poppy was preceded in death by his Father Clive, his mother Grace, his brother Earl, and his brother Wendell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, business partner, and best friend Mildred Laverne Buck Lawrence known simply as Nanny. He is survived by his son Gary Lawrence and wife Denise of Georgetown, son Terry Lawrence and wife Rhonda of Buda, daughter Lori Herrington and husband Lance of Amarillo, and son Larry Lawrence and wife Beth of Burnet. He’s also survived by their 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and one honorary grandchild. Poppy will be greatly missed, but because he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, we know we can see him again one day if we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Poppy, enjoy your time with Nanny in Heaven as you worship the Lord because it’s going to get loud when the rest of the Lawrence extended gang gets there to worship and celebrate with you.

A celebration of life for Joe will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. A graveside service will occur 10:00 AM Monday, January 6, 2025 in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.