Francis Joseph Lawrence

Francis Joseph Lawrence, 84, spent a lifetime devoted to family, country, and community. A native and lifelong Biloxian, he was baptized at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church and was a lifetime parishioner. He passed from this life on October 15, 2024.

The son of Anthony N. Lawrence and Teresa Calamari Lawrence, Francis graduated Notre Dame Catholic High School in 1958 where he lettered in football and basketball. Later, he graduated William Carey College receiving his Bachelor’s Degree. Francis met his love, Linda Lee Rosetti Lawrence, while they were students at Notre Dame and Sacred Heart Schools. They celebrated 63 years of marriage but enjoyed 70 years as a couple; theirs was a living embodiment of the marriage vows, “in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health—I will love and honor you all the days of my life.” Francis served his country as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard for 42 years and retired as Lt. Colonel. He was employed and retired at 47 years with the United States Postal Service. He was a lifetime member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge 606.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony N. Lawrence and Teresa Calamari Lawrence; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony J. and Margaret Puzz Rosetti; brother, Henry Lawrence; brothers-in-law, Anthony Rosetti, Jr., Charles Thompson, and Bryan Rosetti; sisters-in-law, Georgia Kuljis Lawrence, Jeanie Rosetti, and Mary Margaret Rudolf Lawrence.

Francis is survived by his wife, Linda and his children: Linda Lawrence Cagnolatti (Guy), Francis Joseph Lawrence, Jr. (Trish) and Donna Lawrence Goodwin; his grandson, who was like a son: Vincent Lawrence; grandchildren: Amber Goodwin, Justin Goodwin, Tony Cagnolatti (Jessie), Amy Bishop, Maegan Vaillancourt (Lance); and great grandchildren: Evan Bishop, Ellison Cook, Aleaux Cook, Juliette Vaillancourt, and Ella Lawrence. Francis is survived by his siblings: Anthony Lawrence, Jr. (Darla), George Lawrence, and Teresa Lawrence Thompson. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Gary Rosetti (Elizabeth); sisters-in-law, Mary Dell Ross Rosetti and Laurie Quave Rosetti and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Francis loved spending time with family, watching the New Orleans Saints, and taking long drives with Linda. He will be fondly remembered as a man who took care of his family. They will deeply miss him and cherish his memory.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi. Friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Slavonian Lodge in Biloxi.

Friends and family may send flowers or donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 OR St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or call 800-822-6344.

The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Peterson and staff, SAAD Home Health, SAAD Hospice and Carol Redmond with Carol’s Home Away From Home.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Francis Joseph Lawrence.