Frank Jerry Lawrence

On March 31, 2007, surrounded by his loving family, Mayor Jerry Lawrence, age 79, went to be with his Lord after a long and courageous battle. He was born in Biloxi, MS, January 24, 1928, to Supervisor Edward Dewey Lawrence, Sr. and Antoinette Ladnier Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Frank Jerry Lawrence, Jr.; brother, Edward Dewey Lawrence, Jr., and sister, Mary Lawrence Foster. Left to cherish his beloved memories is his best friend and devoted wife of 59 years, Catherine Bosarge Lawrence; three daughters, Marie (Toni) Nell of Woolmarket, Kay Rexroad of D'Iberville, and Mary Pylate and her husband, Ronnie, of Latimer; three sons, Bobby Lawrence of D'Iberville, Joe Lawrence and his wife, Sara, of Woolmarket, and Jimmy Lawrence and his wife, Susie, of Woolmarket; and one sister, Fern Lawrence Collver of Biloxi. To remember and carry on Paw Paw Jerry's stories and jokes are his fifteen grandchildren, Randi Aubry (Chris), Ann Landenberger (Tommy), Chris Linthicum, Tammy Dent (Kevin), Tracy Ulrich (Johnny), Shelley Carter (Jimmy), Sonya Pylate, Jolie Wilding (Keith), Valaree Anderson (Brad), Hillary Craig (Josh), Kristen Gulbrand, Jessica Lawrence, Mandy Lawrence, Holly Lawrence, and Chad Lawrence. He was also blessed with 25 great grandchildren. Mr. Lawrence served as the first elected mayor of his beloved City of D'Iberville. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and made numerous trips to Saltillo, Mexico to assist in the church missions. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and served in three branches of the military; U. S. Coast Guard, the 138th Transportation Battalion of the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force Reserves. Mr. Lawrence was employed by Dee's Chevrolet Company for 23 years, J. J.'s Chevrolet for 9 years and then he opened his own business, Lawrence's Body Shop. after serving as mayor, he worked for Harrison County as a road supervisor until retirement. He loved and cherished his family time. His favorite past time was watching his grandchildren participate in sports. His favorite hobbies included dancing, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping and making people laugh. Jerry always had a smile and a hand shake for everyone and he never met a stranger. The family would like to thank Father Dennis Harlow and Mark Nordrum from Sacred Heart Catholic Church for the many visits, comfort and prayers. Also, Biloxi V. A. Home Health Care, Trinity Hospice Care and the many friends for all their support and love. Visitation is Tuesday, April 3, 2007, from 6 until 9 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where friends may visit from 10 a.m. until service time. On his last journey through the City of D'Iberville, a procession will pass city hall enroute to Swetman Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. The family prefers memorials be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10446 Lemoyne Boulevard, D'Iberville, MS 39540.