Sidney Herbert Lawrence

Sidney Herbert Lawrence, 87, died peacefully at home on August 30. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on June 8, 1935, he was the only child of Herbert Atkinson Lawrence and Grace Rowlett Lawrence. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953 and enrolled in the University of Virginia that summer. He received his B.A. (with distinction) in mathematics in 1956 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies. He continued at Virginia, earning his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Sidney joined the Mathematics Department of the College of William and Mary in 1961 and directed its graduate program for many years. His students described him as “laid back” and “kind.” At his retirement in 2000 he was the longest tenured mathematics professor in the history of the College. He was a member and deacon of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Sidney is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Piedmont Lawrence, their son Eric, and several cousins. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6 at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road with The Rev. Pamela D. Hrncir of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Bede Columbarium. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Lawrence family.