Henry Andrew Lawrence, Sr.

Henry Andrew Lawrence, Sr., 84, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Henry was born on March 25, 1938, in Biloxi, MS, and was a 1956 graduate of Notre Dame High School. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for 8 years and married the love of his life, Mary Margaret Rudolf Lawrence, and raised their family of two daughters and six sons. He was a 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He received many awards including Coach of the Year for MS Youth Soccer Association; Coach of the Year Southern District of MS Youth Soccer Association; Coach of the Year for MS Coast Futbol Club; US Southern Regional Coach of the Year and also known as the “Godfather of MS Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Coaching”, as well as the “soccer guru”; Notre Dame High School Football 1956 Most Valuable Player; and Pee Wee 1951 Toy Bowl Football Championship.

Henry worked for Ingalls Shipbuilding for 40 years in the Payroll/Retirement Department on the East Bank.  In his retirement, he loved nothing more than spending precious time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He loved watching University of Notre Dame football, binge- watched John Wayne movies, and a competitive round of Pinochle. He had various hobbies and activities he enjoyed including Soccer Coach for Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Organization (GCYSO), Singing River Soccer Club Organization, Blackhawks Select Travel Team, and Our Lady of Victories (OLV)/Resurrection High School. He assisted in startup of the GCYSO in 1972 and coached Sacred Heart Saints Football.  He enjoyed golf, fishing, football, and soccer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony N. Lawrence, Sr and Teresa Calamari Lawrence; grandchild, Jonathan Lawrence; sister-in-law, Georgia Lawrence; and brother-in-law, Charles Thompson, Sr.

He is survived by his love of 63 years, Mary Margaret Rudolf Lawrence; his daughter, Mary Margaret Murphy (Timothy); his son, Henry Lawrence Jr. (Angela); his daughter, Lisa Ann Williams (Mark); his son, Stephen Lawrence (Amy); his son, Michael Lawrence (Karen); his son, John Lawrence (Angelique); his son, Christopher Lawrence (Angelina); his son, Joseph Lawrence (Amy); siblings, Anthony Lawrence Jr. (Darla), Francis Lawrence (Linda), George Lawrence, and Teresa Thompson; 24 grandchildren, Patrick (Rachal), Sean (Dori), Aaron (Lauren), Henry III (Lauren), Jacob (Mary Stuart), Christina (David), Nicole, Aron, Chase, Morgan, Justin (Colleen), Matthew (Marian), Ryan, Noah, Mary Kathryn (Patrick), Michael II, Andrew, Olivia, Warren, Christopher Jr., Thomas, Brianna, Mia, and Sydney; and 10 great grandchildren, Ronan, Elliot, Allie, John, Tyson, Thomas, Emma, Shay, Luca, and Sylvia. 

The family would like to extend a thank you to The Blake at Biloxi, 1651 Popp’s Ferry Rd, Biloxi, MS  39532 and Singing River Health System - Hospice of Light, 3635 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs, MS  39564.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Resurrection Catholic School, 520 Watts Ave, Pascagoula, MS  39567 or https://donorbox.org/resurrection-catholic-school-donation

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Cathedral of the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, 870 Howard Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until service time. Burial will follow at Old Biloxi Cemetery, 1166 Irish Hill Dr., Biloxi, MS 39530. Reception will follow the burial at Slavonian Lodge, 159 Maple St., Biloxi, MS 39530.