Mary Margaret Lawrence

Mary Margaret Lawrence (Rudolf), age 85, of Biloxi, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. 

Mary was born on March 20,1939 in Biloxi, MS and was a 1957 graduate of Sacred Heart High School. She was a very gifted musician playing both piano and clarinet and was the Head Majorette of the High School Band. Mary Margaret was also the Queen of the Music Ball in High School. She was a loving Mother, Nana, and Sister to all who knew her. Mary Margaret married the love of her life, Henry Andrew Lawrence Sr., and raised their family of two daughters and six sons. Mary Margaret retired with 25 years as a supervisor for the Department of the Navy’s Civilian Human Resource Department at the John C. Stennis Space Center. One of her earlier accomplishments was as a business owner of Lawrence’s Trophy House and Navy Surplus store. She taught piano lessons and was an organist for Sacred Heart Church in Pascagoula, MS for many years. Mary was a high school cheerleader for Notre Dame and coached cheerleading for Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Victories Schools. Her hobbies and interests included: gardening, reading, crocheting, antique shopping, playing cards with family, and watching her children and grandchildren play sports and attend dance recitals. 

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Henry Andrew Lawrence Sr.; her parents, John Valentine Rudolf (USCG) and Annie Pearl Rudolf (Buntyn); grandchild, Jonathan Lawrence; siblings/(Spouse), Anna Josephine Wentzell (Frank), Rosemary Gollott (Gary), Clarence "Jimmy" Hughes (Mildred), and John Rudolf; Jr; and brother-in-law, Larry Vanlandingham.

Mary Margaret is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Vanlandingham; sister-in-law, Gay Rudolf; daughter, Mary Margaret Murphy (Timothy); son, Henry Lawrence Jr. (Angela); daughter; Lisa Ann Williams (Mark); son, Stephen Lawrence (Amy); son, Michael (Karen); son, John (Angelique); son, Christopher (Angelina); son, Joseph (Amy); grandchildren/(spouses), Patrick (Rachal), Sean (Dori), Aaron (Lauren), Henry III (Lauren), Jacob (Mary Stuart), Christina (David), Nicole, Morgan (Mark), Justin (Colleen), Matthew (Marian), Ryan (Kayley), Noah, Mary Kathryn (Patrick), Michael II, Andrew, Olivia, Warren, Christopher Jr, Brianna, Thomas, Mia, and Sydney; and great-grandchildren, Ronan, Milo, Elliot, Skylar, Addison, Allie, John Henry, Grace, Tyson, Thomas, Nathan, Emma, Shay, Luca, and Rose.

The Family would like to extend a Thank You to The Blake at Biloxi and Singing River Health Systems, Ocean Springs.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at The Nativity BVM Cathedral, 810 Howard Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. 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. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Mary Margaret Lawrence.