Betty Lawrence

Betty Hughley Lawrence, 75, of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.She was born in Hamilton County on July 23, 1937. Betty attended Booker T. Washington. She was a loving wife, mother, and an active member of the First Baptist Church of Lookout Mountain where she served as a Deaconness, choir president, Sunday school superintendant, teacher and Youth Director over the course of many years. She was a member of the Bessie Rider Garden Club. Betty loved to read, garden, cook and was famous for her yeast rolls. She was a true prayer warrior. She esteemed God, her husband, Reuben, her children and grandchildren and her church. Her family notes that there was not one night that passed without her kneeling in intercession to God. As a member of the Bessie Rider Garden club she enjoyed creating flower arrangements for her home and church. She was employed by the Joseph Thatcher family for over 55 years.Betty enjoyed singing in the choir and her favorite hymn was "Great is Thy Faithfulness." She was at heart a gentle and generous Christian woman.Her family describes her character as a Proverbs 31 woman. "Her children arise and call her blessed. Her husband also and he praiseth her. For a woman who feareth the Lord she shall be praised. For her worth is far above rubies."She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Anna Hughley; one daughter, Brenda Faye Lawrence; brothers, Raymond and Gary Hughley; and a sister, Joyce Hughley.She is survived by her devoted husband, Reuben of 59 years; sons, Reuben Lawrence Jr., of Franklin, Tenn., Dr. Jeffery D. (Valerie) Lawrence, of Macon, Ga.; daughters, Teresa Phillips, of Nashville, Carol Fitzpatrick, of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Latessa, Duchess, Leighton, William, Anna, Jack III, Daniel, Kara, Micah and Kyle; five great-grandchildren, JaCory, Tshayla, Alex, Chris and Amelia; sister, Delores Faye Hughley; brother, Ronnie D. Hughley; sisters-in-law, Louise Hughley, Norma Jean Hughley and Pauline King; brothers-in-law, George Lawrence, John (Diane) Lawrence and Michael Lawrence; longtime employer and friend, Joe (Lucy) Thatcher and family; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at First Baptist Lookout Mountain Church with Rev. Jeffrey Jefferson officiating.Interment in Forest Hills Cemetery.The body will lie in state after noon today and the family will receive friends from 68 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 622-9995.