Virginia Lawrence

Virginia "Sally" Ayers Lawrence was born March 4, 1932, to the late Nathan and Lillian Ayers; she was one of seven children. Sally attended Weaver Road School. She married the late Pompy S. Lawrence in May of 1953; to this union, four children and a bonus child, Sharon, were born. At an early age, she accepted Christ at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Ballard. She remained a member, attending Mission meetings and Sunday school. She was a devoted usher, serving over forty years. At the age of 80, the usher board suggested she retire, and she refused because she loved serving. In her younger years, she was a housekeeper and worked at Imperial Manufacturing Co. in Walls, Mississippi. She enjoyed her morning walks with neighborhood friends, spending time with family, and traveling. In 2011 they were featured in the New Tri-State Defender and Riverview-Kansas CDC as "Saucy Seniors, Ms. Bessie and Ms. Ready Freddie". Sally volunteered her time with "CATS" and "S.T.A.R.S." (breast cancer organizations) in support of her friend, Mary Irby, who is a breast cancer survivor. She was always ready to travel and would say, “Where you gone take me because Freddy stay ready”. She had a little hotfoot dance she did every time she said, "Freddy is ready." Sally had a huge heart for people and kids. Her house was the place to be for her grandchildren on the weekend. She looked forward to the stays and took this time to teach and play with them. She was a hugger and never met a stranger. On visits to the store, she found people to chat with as she passed out smiles and hugs. During the Covid quarantine period, it was hard to restrain her from hugging people. Her motto was "It is just nice to be nice." She adopted all of our friends and their kids. She said, "I got enough love to go around." She played a profound role in raising her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children of friends. She said, “My babies don't have to go to a center, not as long as I'm able.” Our Queen leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Walter Lawrence (Cheryl); three daughters, Gloria Merriweather, Virginia Sykes (Jerry), and Andrea Banis (Tommie); two sisters, Ethel White and Alberta Griffin; two sisters-in-law, Winnie Boone (Los Angeles, CA) and Virgie Ayers; three brothers-in-law, Edward Lawrence (Tillie) (Cerritos, CA), Paul Lawrence (El Dorado, AR), and Thaddaus Lawrence (Cherry) (Lenexa, KS); fifteen grandchildren, Kelan Fisher, Rodney Merriweather (Ashley), Regina Sanchez, Walter Lawrence Jr. (Jamie), Rico Lawrence (Countess), Michelle Lawrence (Dubuque, IA), Andrea Clark (Willie) (St. Cloud, FL), Lashell Lee, Paris Monroe, Corey Lawrence (Stephanie), Taneshia Williams (Reginald), Tomeka Beavers (Antwon), Erica Hardin (Azuree), Ashley Sykes, and Whitney Sykes; thirty-one great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and honorary children, including two special great-granddaughters, Arielle Berry and Madison Lawrence.

Virginia Lawrence

March 4, 1932 - June 21, 2022