James Truman Lawrence, Sr.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 “A Time to Be Born & A Time to Die” James (Affectionately known as Truman by family and Jimmie by others) was born June 2, 1945 to the late Samuel and Mary Lawrence in Nash County, North Carolina. After a brief illness, the hands of time ceased on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk, Virginia. Preceding him in death were his parents, daughter Veon (Miranda), brother, Johnny Mack, three sisters Mary Cofield, Frances Battle, Annie Wiggins and granddaughter, Christian Marie Pittman. “A Time to Marry and Work” James married the love of his life, Dorothy Williams in 1965. They relocated to Newark, New Jersey where he served in Law Enforcement for many years. After retirement, they moved to Suffolk, Va. where he became a bus driver for the Suffolk Public School System. Driving the bus then became his new passion. He joined the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va., where he remained a faithful member until his death. “A Time to be Friendly” James acquired many friends while living in New Jersey and then again when he moved to Suffolk. He was Ashford and Dunbar streets favorite neighbor. We all knew him by his distinguished hair cut ( high top fade) and his voice. He always wanted to make sure you had enough to eat because he was constantly eating. “A Time to Leave Memories” James leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Dorothy of 55 years, two daughters, Tawanda Williams, Battleboro, NC, Rev. Zina Pittman (Darryl), Macclesfield, NC, a son, James Lawrence, Jr. Elizabeth NJ. Brothers Randolph (Iva) Rocky Mount, NC, Milton Earl (Mary) of Illinois,, Samuel Lawrence of Newark, NJ.; sisters, Rose-Marie Henderson, Geraldine Lindsey, Betty (Raymond ) Powell, Vivan Odessa ( Paul) Powell, and Dorothy Annette Lawrence all of Rocky Mount, NC mother in law Veon James Hampton, Va, sister in law Charlene (George)Gaines Nashville, NC; four brother in law John H. Williams and Hubert James of Hampton, Va., Steve Davis (Mary), Carl Davis (Doris) of Nashville, NC, James Wiggins of Rocky Mount, NC,7 grandchildren;7 great grandchildren, God-daughter, Sabrina Lynch of Rocky Mount, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Over his life, James left a foot print in the sand. It is impossible to name all the people he touched. Thank you all for being a part of his life. A viewing will be held 10:00 a.m.-noon, Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Metropolitan Baptist Church. A celebration of life will immediately follow. Rev. Dr. Hobbs will deliver the message of comfort. He will be laid to rest in Rosedale Cemetery in Orange, New Jersey. You may livestream the celebration of life at www.metroplitanbaptist1.org. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Truman Lawrence, Sr., please visit our flower store.