Betty Lou Lawrence passed away early Sunday morning on March 21, 2021. She was 88 years old. She was the daughter of James C. and Maggie Jones. Betty was born in High Point, North Carolina. She attended school and spent most of her life in High Point, NC. She married her high school sweetheart. He was the quarterback of the football team and she was the head majorette. From their marriage, 7 sons and 1 daughter were born, Benjamin Lawrence III and his wife Gerda Lawrence, Adrian Lawrence and his wife Shirley, Donald Lawrence who is deceased, Perry C. Lawrence and his wife Vikki, Kim Lawrence and his wife Tabitha, Derrick Lawrence, Dr.Karl Lawrence MD and his wife Chindi, Betty’s daughter Adrine is deceased.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Adrine, a son Derrick, and 3 brothers and their spouses; Milton (Inez) Jones of Philadelphia, PA, Edward (Burlene) Jones of Delaware, and George (Frances) Jones of New York. And another brother Ralph C. Jones and his wife Renee Jones remain living.
Betty also had 6 sisters, Marie Hawkins Graham who is deceased, as well as her first and second husbands Jean Hawkins and Joe Graham, Doris Ashworth and her husband Edward Ashworth who is deceased, Barbara Collins and her husband Bishop Floyd Collins, Carolyn Henderson and William Henderson, Arnett Gardner and her husband Joe Gardner, and Loretta Chadrick.
There are many survivors left of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Betty was a loving wife and a great partner to her husband. She was a businesswoman and evangelist in the Church of God of Prophecy, and she traveled with her husband and served the Lord in every way she could. They ministered in Siler City, NC for 5 years, High Point NC for 7 years, Liberty NC for 1 year, and Asheboro NC for 1 year. While in Liberty NC a church was organized. She was faithful in services in different positions in these churches.
In 1967, her husband was called to serve under appointment in Church of God of Prophecy Headquarters first as Home Mission Worker and then as Bible Training Institute Representative, for a combined total of 24 years.
As mentioned, she was a business woman when she wasn’t traveling with her husband and could manage enough time to make tailored draperies, painted pictures, and hats that she sold for herself and missions. She also was a great poet and writer and published 2 books through the White Wing Messenger which is located at the Headquarters of Church of God of Prophecy located in Cleveland TN.
She wanted her 6 sons to be workers in the church, so the Sons of Faith gospel group was organized. She made matching sport coats and pants for her 6 sons and the same for an outsider in the gospel group. They are still singing today.
She had a beautiful voice and sang on many programs at the General Assembly every year. She was the lead singer in a gospel group called The Jones Sisters for whom she also made tailored dresses for most of the singers.
There will be a walk-through viewing of the body on March 24, 2021 from 5 to 7pm at Patton Funeral Home on 265 Fair Street SE, Cleveland TN 37311.
Her remains will be returned to North Carolina for service and viewing on March 27, 2021 from 3 to 4pm at Phillips Funeral Home, 1810 Brackett Avenue, High Point NC 27260, followed by a brief service. Graveside service will be at 1pm at Carolina Biblical Gardens, in Guilford County at 5710 Riverdale Dr., Jamestown NC 27282. Bishop Floyd Collins officiating.
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