Flora Lawrence

Flora Lawrence RINGGOLD Flora Annett Gracy Lawrence, known as Mama Flo to those whose lives she touched, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. She was 88. Mama Flo grew up on a small farm in Burning Bush, Ga., with her parents, JP and Edith Gracy; and her sister, Cathryn Graham (deceased). She often spoke about her wonderful childhood counting stars on summer nights and helping her father harvest tomatoes. She was class president at Ringgold High School Class of 1942. She married Harland W. Lawrence shortly after his return from military service during World War II where he served as an airplane mechanic in New Guinea for many months. They briefly considered moving to California after their honeymoon, but decided to stay home where they operated Lawrence Dry Cleaners and the Georgian Court in downtown Ringgold for many years. They were lifelong members of the Ringgold Baptist Church where Harland was a deacon and she was teacher of the Pioneer Class. Class members described her as Ringgolds Angel. After Harland retired, she began a new career in real-estate. She started as a realtor with Vernon Vaughn and David Armour and later joined Bob Kinard at Caldwell Banker. She was very active and successful in real estate, but was most proud of the significant she played in the development of Calloway Farms. She won numerous awards as a realtor but especially treasured the "Preserving the Trust" award at the Caldwell Banker National Convention. She was a respected civic leader in Ringgold, where she served on the City Planning and Zoning Board, the Catoosa Habitat for Humanity and the Catoosa Chamber of Commerce, in addition to co-chairing Down Home Christmas. She was instrumental in the founding of Christ Chapel with her close friend, Pat Ellis and many others. Mama Flo lead an exemplary Christian life with family, friends and Sunday school class student, following the Golden Rule with her door always open, a very long prayer list and dedicated church service. She is survived by her daughters, Connie (Daniel) Cabeza, of Coral Gables, Fla., and Suzanne (Gary) Young, of Ringgold; grandchildren, Chad (Mandy) Young, of Ringgold, Scott Masterson, of Atlanta, Denise (Albert) Malvehy, of Coral Gables, Fla., Daniel Lawrence (Sarah) Cabeza, of Los Angeles and Rebecca (TJ) Gephart, of Ringgold. She has seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Dr. Terry Melvin and Hospice for the special attention she gave Flora and to all of her devoted caregivers, especially her granddaughter Rebecca. They all allowed her to fulfill her wish to spend her last days at home. Services will be held at Ringgold First Baptist Church at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, with Dr. Dan Whitaker and Rev. Jim Bailiff officiating. The body will lie in state at the church from 11 a.m. Friday until the hour of service. Interment will be in Anderson Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers with Pioneer Sunday School Class. Donations may be made to Christ Chapel, 218 Inman Street, Ringgold, Ga. 706-935-9045, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 20, at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.