Mrs. Lavonne Lawrence, age 79, of 219 Greenwich Circle, Danville, entered the portals of Heaven to meet her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 7, 2017.  She had been in declining health for the past three weeks.  She had been hospitalized in Danville and then was moved to Kindred Hospital in Greensboro where she passed away.

Mrs. Lawrence  was born in Roxboro, N.C. on July 24, 1938, a daughter of the late Willie Taylor and Addie Oliver Taylor.   She had retired from the former Dan River Mills, Inc. after many years of service as an inspector.   Mrs. Lawrence was a member of Victory Baptist Church, but, as health allowed, she attended Spring Garden Community Church, where her son is pastor.  She was predeceased by her first husband, the Rev. Vernon Crowder.  On October 31, 1980, she married Wayne Lawrence who also predeceased her on July 16, 2015.

Mrs. Lawrence was a very simple woman with a heart of gold.  In 2002, she had a leg amputated.  She was a very strong and independent woman.  Even though she was confined to a wheel chair, it never stopped her from doing her daily activities.  She enjoyed cooking and was an excellent cook.  She always enjoyed preparing food for people during a time of sickness or death in someone’s family.  She enjoyed flowers, at which she had a green thumb, and most of all, she loved her family.

Mrs. Lawrence is survived by her two sons, the Reverend Clark Crowder and wife, Linda and Carl Crowder and wife, Bonnie; one daughter, Cynthia Crowder; and a step-daughter, Pam Lawrence, all of Danville, Va.  Other survivors include three grandchildren, Kittye Scott and husband, Roy, of Keeling, Lisa Crowder, and Laura Bush of Danville; three great-grandchildren, Hueston, Auston and Weston Scott; numerous nieces and nephews; her best friend, Vickie Ring and husband, Ronnie; and special neighbor, Nita Patterson.  In addition to her parents and husbands, Mrs. Lawrence was predeceased by one brother, Fred Taylor; and one sister, Barbara Ann Oakes.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at Barker Funeral Home Chapel, 2025 North Main Street, Danville, Va., with the Reverend Clark Crowder officiating.  Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 9, 2017, from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Barker Funeral Home Chapel.  At other times, they will be at the residence of the Rev. Clark and Linda Crowder, 1619 Buckhorn Drive (off Mt Cross Road), Danville, VA 24540.

Our  mother has heard the Lord say, “WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT”.  She has fought a good fight,  She has finished her course and kept the faith.  Now, she is safe in the arms of Jesus.

 Service Information