Gayle Lee Lawrence

Following an extended period of chronic pain, cancer treatment and other complications, our brave mother, Gayle, age 80, passed away Thursday, July 12, 2018, in her sleep peacefully and without pain. She was born in Mendenhall, MS and had been a longtime resident of the Gulf Coast. She was a 1959 graduate of Mississippi College and taught third grade at Fernwood Elementary School. She was also formerly an assistant manager at Lawrence’s Dress Shop. Gayle enjoyed listening to gospel music and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Gayle is surrounded in heaven by her parents, Juanita and Michael Lee, her eldest sister, Willene Morris, and many other loved ones. She is survived by her beloved husband Joseph John “J.J.” Lawrence, whom she was married to for 56 years; daughters, Kymble (Brad) McCoy and Robyn (John) Gedney; sister, Gloria Hester; grandchildren, John Ryan Gedney and Brennan Gedney of Charleston, SC, Lee Catherine Gedney of Gainsville, GA, and Connor McCoy, Cale McCoy and Colton McCoy all of Ft. Worth, TX. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to Pink Heart Funds, P. O. Box 1047, 5095 Beatline Road, Long Beach, MS 39560. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Visitation is one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery.