Frank "Blackie" Lawrence

Mr. Frank "Blackie" Lawrence, 88, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2008, at his home. A native of Mount Airy, Mr. Lawrence spent much of his childhood at the Children's Home in Winston-Salem, where he played on an undefeated "orphan football team." Following high school graduation, Mr. Lawrence attended High Point College before enlisting in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, Mr. Lawrence returned to Mount Airy, where he worked for United Plastics until his retirement in the 1980s. Mr. Lawrence was a friend to everyone he met and loved spreading laughter with his stories and jokes. He held a deep love for his hometown and could often be found sharing a cup of coffee and a laugh in one of his favorite downtown hang-outs. He was also an active member of the Mount Airy Friends Meeting for as long as he was able. Mr. Lawrence is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clem Gunnell Lawrence; brother, Ed Lawrence of La Jolla, CA; daughter, Sheila Edmondson of Asheboro; daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Tom Koch; daughter, Susan McGowan; grandchildren Ashley and Chad McNeill of Winston-Salem, Erin and Derek Thomson of Fort Leavenworth, KS, Brian and Melinda McKinney of Denver, Tommy and Aimee Koch of Durham, Frank Edmondson of Asheboro, Will and Vanessa Koch of Fort Rucker, AL, and Miller McGowan of Charlotte; and great-grandchildren, Emma McNeill, Brock McNeill, Madeline Thomson, Margaret Thomson, Chloe Theil, Caroline McKinney, and William Koch, Jr. A service will be held at 2:00 Saturday, October 11, 2008, at Mount Airy Friends Meeting, conducted by the Rev. David Lawrence. The family will receive friends Friday night from 7:00 to 9:00 at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, and other times at the home of Dianne and Tom Koch, 147 Beechtree Circle, Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Airy Friends Meeting, 109 West Wilson Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.