Ezra Lee Lawrence was born January 16, 1934 to Clyde Sr. and Malissie Chalk Lawrence in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was the 11th of 12 children. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior August 1947 under the leadership of Reverend C.D. Pettaway, pastor of the St. Luke Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
He was educated in the Pulaski County School District graduating from Pulaski County Training School. Upon completing her formal education in McAlmont, Arkansas he enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged after serving a tour of duty in Germany.
Family meant everything to him and always loved being near them. After serving in the military he lived in Detroit, Michigan, where his brother Tyree and sister Evelyn lived. “Jake” as he was affectionately called by only two of his siblings (Clyde Jr. and Geraldine) settled in Kansas City, Missouri where Clyde Jr. lived.
He loved all his family but these two brothers had a special bond. Here he met and married Emma Dean Tripp. Together they raised three sons and a daughter.
Providing for and protecting his wife and children were very important to him. His wife welfare was his main concern while he was hospitalized. He wanted to make sure she was being taken care of.
He worked at various Foundries and retired from Clay & Bailey Manufacturing Company after many years of service. As a youth he hunted with his family, nephew James (Etta) Reed, which began a lifelong passion for the sport. One of his highlights was the annual hunting trip with his brothers Clyde Jr. and Adolph (who traveled from California) and nephew Carl.
Watching western movies was one of his favorite past times. He was an avid gun collector naming them after famous western horses…Trigger, Scout, Champ, Silver, and Smoky. He also enjoyed listening to gospel music, cooking, watching sports and telling childhood stories to anyone who would listen.
He was passionate about his church, his pastor and church family. God blessed him with a beautiful voice, and he loved singing to the Lord. He served as President of the Choir and a Sunday school teacher until his health began to fail.
He wanted to be remembered as a man of praise, prayer and unshakable faith. Preceding him in death are sons, Barry Lawrence, Melvin Brown and daughter, Sherie Lawrence, six sisters and three brothers. Left to cherish his memories are Emma Dean Lawrence, is loving devoted wife of 50 years, son Fred Leon (Spruce) Remely, granddaughter Tisa Remely (Craig Baylor), great granddaughters Lacresha and Precious Baylor all of Jacksonville, FL.
, brother Clyde Jr. (Mattie) Lawrence of Kansas City, Missouri, sister, Evelyn Johnson of North Little Rock, Arkansas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. He also leaves a special nephew, Billy Lawrence and special nieces Emma Lawrence and Toni Johnson-Downs. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church 2208 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64130.
Visitation 10:00 A.M. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery.
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