Garrett Lawrence, Sr.

Mr. Garrett Holt Lawrence, age 91, of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, died Thursday, February 26, 2015 with all the grace and dignity that defined his life.Mr. Lawrence was born in Marshall County to Mary Sue Lawrence and Thomas H. Lawrence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jean Joyce Lawrence, and his brother, Thomas H. Lawrence, Jr.

He is survived by his present wife of nine years, Kayrene Dickens Lawrence, Chapel Hill, TN; four children, Sue Carolyn (John) Groomes, Brentwood, TN, Emily (Jerry) Gordon, Lewisburg, TN, Vivian (Chuck) Coble, Franklin, TN, Garry (Debra) Lawrence, Chapel Hill, TN; seven grandchildren, Britt (Amy) Groomes, David Pierce, Andy (Michelle) Pierce, Lori (Trent) Boysen, Julie (Ken) Black, Susan (Guy) Waggoner, Trey Lawrence; ten great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren. Mr. Lawrence is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Appleton and Helen Martin, both of Nashville; many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lawrence owned and operated Lawrence Funeral Home beginning in 1942 and Lawrence Bros. Plumbing and Electric beginning in 1947. He was a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and was licensed as a funeral director for 70 years. Mr. Lawrence was very active in civic affairs, serving as a Chapel Hill City Alderman, former chairman of the Chapel Hill Industrial Board, member of the Board of Directors of First State Bank in Chapel Hill, was a member and past master of Chapel Hill Masonic Lodge # 160, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Al Menah Shrine Temple, past president and last surviving charter member of the Chapel Hill Lions Club, and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. In 2009, he was named Chapel Hill Citizen of the Year. Mr. Lawrence was a member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and served for many years on its administrative board.

Family members will receive friends on Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home with Masonic Rites being conducted at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. with funeral services being conducted at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Swanson Cemetery in Chapel Hill.

Pallbearers are grandsons and spouses of granddaughters; Britt Groomes, David Pierce, Andy Pierce, Trent Boysen, Ken Black, Guy Waggoner, Trey Lawrence. Lawrence Bros., Inc. employees, past and present, will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 246, Chapel Hill, TN 37034: Forrest Alumni Scholarship Fund, c/o Jimmie Lou Lee, 103 Crosby Dr., Hendersonville, TN 37075 or Friends of Henry Horton State Park, P. O. Box 282, Chapel Hill, TN 37034.