Rebecca Norman Lawrence

Rebecca Norman Lawrence passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022, in Wilmington, NC. Mrs. Lawrence was born on December 16, 1926, in Winston-Salem, NC. She was the oldest child of Hobart McKinley Norman and Beulah Jarvis Norman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles Edgar Lawrence, and her brother and sisters, Archie Norman, Juanita Norman, Rose Spainhour, and Faye Slate. Surviving are her brothers Richard Norman, Reverend Paul Norman and his wife Linda, and brother-in-law, Ira Slate. Also remembered is her special friend Hilda Simon. She has four surviving children, Doug Lawrence and his wife Kathy, Jane Hanes and her husband Jim, Reverend David Lawrence and his wife Candace, and Terri Meier and her husband Charles. Also surviving are her grandchildren, J.T. Rusher and his wife Magaly, Jacob Lawrence, Jonas Lawrence, Anna Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence, Hayley Meier Little and her husband Ben; and great-grandchildren Sierra Rusher, Savannah Rusher, and Charlie Rusher. Mrs. Lawrence grew up on her grandfather’s farm in East Bend, NC. Her family raised tobacco and other crops. She was 3 when the Great Depression began and didn’t experience running water or electricity until she attended nursing school. She carried water to her house from a spring. Being the oldest child, she helped take care of her younger brothers and sisters. Mrs. Lawrence graduated from Martin Memorial School of Nursing in Mt. Airy, NC. After being called “Miss Norman” in nursing school, she was called “Norman” by friends thereafter. After graduation, she married Charles Lawrence who established Southern Propane Gas Company in Mt. Airy. There they raised their family of four children. Norman enjoyed cooking for the extended Lawrence family on Thanksgiving and Christmas. She welcomed her children’s friends to spend the night and enjoyed preparing hot chocolate and popcorn for neighborhood children on snow days. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout leader. She loved making campfire stew. Her grandchildren remember eating a big country breakfast when they visited. She loved having her grandsons, Jacob and Jonas, living beside her for several years. Mrs. Lawrence was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Mt. Airy. She served for many years as part of the Visitation Circle. She enjoyed visiting her brothers and sisters who lived in King, NC and would bring home fresh produce from Faye and Ira Slate’s garden. She enjoyed playing golf at Cross Creek Country Club and made many friends, including a group called “The Lucky Dogs.” When her husband Charles was no longer able to work, Norman stepped in to manage Southern Propane for several years with her son Doug. She later sold Southern Propane and was able to retire with her husband to care for him until he passed away. Charles and Norman were married for 49 years. About 10 years ago, Mrs. Lawrence’s daughter Terri invited Norman to move to Wilmington. After living in Mt. Airy her entire adult life, Norman decided to move to The Woods at Holly Tree to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. Her friends in Mt. Airy said Norman would make new friends quickly and she did. Mrs. Lawrence’s family greatly appreciates the care that Terri gave Mrs. Lawrence during her years in Wilmington. A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Lawrence at Central United Methodist Church in Mt. Airy on March 19th, 2022, at 11:00 am with the Reverend Danny Miller and Mrs. Lawrence’s brother, Reverend Paul Norman, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.

Rebecca Norman Lawrence

December 16, 1926 - March 9, 2022