Leola Lawrence

Brought forth in Praise ...... Leola Lawrence was born October 8, 1946, in Moorhead, Mississippi, the youngest of June and Marree Conrod's nine children. Leola, was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andrew Paul Lawrence, three sisters, Lela Conrod, Sarah Mitchell-Smith, and Dortha White, and one brother, Tom Conrod. Leola accepted Christ at the age of 11 years old, and was baptized at Mt. Airy Baptist Church in Moorhead, Mississippi under the leadership of the late Rev. Henry Ewing. Leola loved school and read many books. She was a product of Gentry High School in Indianola, Mississippi.Leaving for the Big City...... In 1964, Leola left her small town in Mississippi and headed for the big city in St. Louis, Missouri where most of her sisters resided. She joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and served faith-fully for almost 57 years under the direction of the late Pastor James A. Morgan, the late Reverend Dr. Joseph Morgan and currently under the leadership of Pastor J.B. Gains where she loved bible studyLeola had a passion for taking care of others. She began her career in healthcare as a nurse's aide at Bethesda Nursing Home and furthered her career in 1985 with St. Agnes Nursing Home where she later retired on December 25, 2013. Her integrity and work ethic were unmatched and she was adored by so many. Leola had many hobbies (e.g., watching soap operas, reality T.V., traveling, and power walks in the mall). However, shopping for clothes was her absolute favorite pastime. She had impeccable taste in clothing. She wore the best tailored suits and pretty dresses to church, adorned with matching shoes and purse, always styled to perfection. Leola loved to be on the move, attending every graduation, wedding, and birthday party that she could. Leola also had an exuberant and carefree spirit and loved hanging out with her older nieces and nephews. Nothing was going to stop her from enjoying life to the fullest.We Found Love.....Leola met the love of her life, Andrew Paul Lawrence and they married on August 2, 1969. The two were in love like high school sweethearts. They were inseparable and their love was contagious. Traveling across the globe was something they enjoyed a lot. They were both spontaneous and adventurous. Leola took plenty of pictures of their excursions to share with family and friends. Leola and Andrew adopted everyone as their own until the birth of their beautiful bundle of joy, Kim Lanice Lawrence in 1971. They were very proud and loving parents. Leola was the youngest child and often relied on her big sisters for advice on raising a baby. Kim was spoiled and showered with lots of love. Having a baby slowed their travels down for a few years, but resumed immediately after Kim got older. They would pack up and it became a family vacation. Leola was passionate about traveling and she never stopped despite experiencing two life changing events. Leola kept pushing through even during the midst of her own suffering. She was a warrior and never complained. To God Be the Glory..... Her special array of sunshine brought joy into the world and everyone with whom she came into contact. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by so many. God said, "Well done my good and faithful servant." She leaves to cherish her memory; Loving daughter, Kim Lanice Lawrence of Richmond Heights, Missouri; her brother, Earnest Conrod, Parchman, Mississippi; three sisters, Christine Clay, St. Louis, Betty Jean Conrod, Greenville, Mississippi, Earnestine Johnson, St. Louis, and sister-in-law, Ruby Mae (Tom, deceased) Conrod, St. Louis, Godson, Darius Sherrod Amos, Greenville, Mississippi, Niece/daughter, Michelle R. (Timothy) Gresham, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her much beloved Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church family. Interment: Leaving Williams-James Mortuary, Inc. on Monday, January 25, 2021 @ 9am J.B. National Cemetery2600 SheridanSt. Louis, MO 63126 . Funeral Service Jerusalem M.B. Church Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM 5596 Ridge AvenueSt. Louis, Missouri 63112 Directions Funeral Service Saturday, January 23, 2021 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM