Ruth Phyllis (Valentine) Lawrence
January 23, 1934 ~ January 27, 2016 (age 82) 82 Years OldShare using:
Ruth Phyllis Lawrence, lovingly known as Phyllis, the daughter of the late Dr. Paul Lawrence and Virginia Valentine Lawrence, was born on January 23, 1934 in Montclair, New Jersey and departed this earth on January 27, 2016 (after a short stay in the Milford Center Nursing Home in Milford, DE) at the blessed age of 82 years. She was the first grandchild of Louise Hill Lawrence and Joshua Lawrence of Bloomfield, New Jersey and the oldest niece of Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Robert Lawrence.
Phyllis attended Montclair Public Schools and graduated from Montclair High School in Montclair, NJ. As a child, she wanted to be a singer like Mahalia Jackson. She went on to attend Morgan State University and also served her country in the United States Air Force. Through her career, she worked with the elderly and ended her employment as a Child Caregiver for families in East Orange, NJ and in Dover, DE when she relocated in 1995 to be with her daughter and grandchildren.
Mother Lawrence became a member of First Pilgrim Baptist Church in Camden, Delaware under Bishop Doreina C. Miles upon her move to the area and in 2002 joined the Mothers Board. She was a generous contributor of food and candy to the children’s annual church events. She was also an active member of the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. She won several awards for her paintings at the Delaware State Fair for Seniors with Disabilities.
She was always helping others and giving words of encouragement to neighbors and friends and was known for her love of game shows and classic movies with her favorite being the Turner Classic Movie Channel. Mother Lawrence was known best for telling it like it was. She had no problem expressing her feelings.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother; sons, Michael, Charlie, Christopher and Grandville. She is survived by her son, Eric; her daughter, Stephanie Freeman (Rev. Anthony) of Dover, DE; son, Bruce Lawrence (Grace) and daughter, Salena of East Orange, NJ; daughters-in-law, Angie Johnson and Patsy Johnson, both of Montclair, NJ; seven grandchildren, Lateefah Hall (William), Stephon Scribner (Sarah); Gibran Jarvis; Janice Johnson; Dana Johnson; Ashley Johnson and Eva Jefferson; five great-grandchildren, Quinn, Jaden, Mekhi, Mya and Massiah. A special thanks to the staff Milford Center and the First Pilgrim Baptist Church family and friends. Condolenses may be sent by entering the guest book below.
