Mary Kathryn Lawrence

Mary Kathryn Lawrence was born at home in Sunflower, Mississippi, March 22, 1919.
Her mother and father were the late Lucille Park Meek and Ernest Carlysle Meek, Sr.
According to her mother, Mary Kathryn was born on a glorious spring day. Throughout
her life she had that sunshine in her heart and approached each day with a cheery
countenance, always finding the best in everyone and every situation. She often said, she
could be happy anywhere, because she believed we make our happiness in our own
hearts. There will be a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2019, at Merigold Methodist Church.
Mary Kathryn was the oldest of three children. She had one brother, the late Ernest
Carlysle Meek, Jr. (Brother) and one sister, Jeannette Park Meek Weatherly (Jean). It's
hard to imagine a closer family or children who loved and revered their parents more.
Mary Kathryn was married to the late Charles Battle Lawrence for forty-three years. She
is survived by her daughter, Lana Lawrence Turnbull (wife of Eric Walter Turnbull II) of
Warrior, Alabama, and one grandson, Charles Abraham (Abe) Draper (husband of Jenni
Fratesi Draper) and two great grandchildren whom she adored, Charlie Gracen Draper
and Briggs Abraham Draper, of Brandon, MS. Mary Kathryn was a devoted aunt (Aunt
May) to five nieces and nephews: Carlysle Meek, Sallie Meek, John Meek, Lucy Norlee
and David Weatherly, as well as many great nieces and nephews and even great great
Mary Kathryn graduated high school in Merigold, Mississippi. She was an exceptional
student and a talented musician (voice and piano). After graduation she attended Sophia
Newcomb College, in New Orleans where she majored in music, and later Delta State
University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education,
with honors. She taught school in Bolivar County for over twenty years, beginning at
Merigold Elementary in 1963. Throughout her teaching career she also taught at Pearman
Elementary, Bayou Academy, and Presbyterian Day School. She was a member of Delta
Kappa Gamma Society for women educators and Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for women. She
was a long-time member and supporter of the Merigold Methodist Church, where she
served as pianist for a number of years.
A wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, teacher and friend, Mary Kathryn was
always gracious and generous, a true southern lady who will be greatly missed.

Celebration of Life

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday, July 1, 2019
Merigold Methodist Church 206 S Church Street Merigold, Mississippi, United States