Terri Joann Lawrence

Terri  JoAnn Lawrence, affectionately known as Terrann, 56, resident of Charleston, Missouri, died Thursday,  November 29, 2018 at her home.  She was born August 4, 1962 in Wyatt, Missouri to the late Thomas  Williams and the late Verlene Lawrence.

She was a graduate of the Charleston Public Schools class of 1981,  where she was in the top 10% academically.  She went on to further her education by attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

She found gainful employment with Charleston Public Schools as a teacher for over 20 years.

Terri received her spiritual foundation at Perry Chapel AME Church in Charleston, Missouri.  She was currently a member of Opportunity Church of God in Christ in Charleston, Missouri where she served on the Mother’s Board.

Mother Terri loved her family and her church family.  However, her love for children allowed her the opportunity to raise eight of her nephews and nieces, as she never had any children of her own. They were her children and she was blessed, and they were certainly blessed.

Mother Terri also enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, watching “The Price is Right” and traveling.  Her quiet and peaceful spirit will long be remembered.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by one sister, Carol Jeanette Lawrence, and one niece, Eboni  Lawrence.

She is survived by those she raised as her own, five sons, Eric Lawrence, Jr. of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jordan Lawrence of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Dalvin Lawrence of Charleston, Missouri, Jamarterious Lawrence of San Antonio, Texas, and Christopher Lawrence of Ripley, Tennessee, three daughters, Sydney Lawrence Farries and Erica Lawrence of San Antonio, Texas, and Toria Lawrence of Atlanta, Georgia,  four brothers, Lonnie (Christie) Lawrence of Monee, Illinois, Eric Lawrence of Sikeston, Missouri, Chris Lawrence of Norfolk, Virginia and James Lawrence of Charleston, Missouri, two sisters, Mary Lawrence of Charleston, Missouri and LaQuita Lawrence of St. Louis, Missouri and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour of 1:00 P.M. at Opportunity Church of God in Christ with the pastor, Superintendent Steve Betts, officiating. Interment will follow in the  Oak Grove Cemetery.