Obituary for Ernest Lawrence
Ernest Allen Lawrence, Jr. (lovingly known by his family as Al) age 87, of Cadiz, Kentucky, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He was the son of Ernest Allen Lawrence, Sr. and Alma Alexander Lawrence. His brother William Lawrence was born 4 years later and preceded him in death in 2021. Al’s mother Alma, taught in a country school where he studied awhile before she felt like he needed to go to school in town. Al graduated from Trigg County High School and then went on to earn a B.S. in agriculture from Murray State. Upon graduation he served two years between the Korean and Vietnam wars as an Army radio operator in the mountains about San Francisco. After the military, he began his career as a food inspector with the USDA inspecting fresh and processed food. Initially, he was rarely in one place for more than 3 months, but that changed later when he married. He completed over twenty years of inspections across the U.S. and continued to fulfill various roles until completely retiring in Waxahachie, TX.
Al married Carol Southard on March 22, 1964 and she quickly found that the way to his heart was definitely through his stomach. He loved to eat and absolutely never missed a meal, never. It did not matter if he sat down at eight in the morning or noon, breakfast was always the first meal of the day then shortly followed by lunch then supper. He was sure to eat his three meals plus snacks. He also made sure that no matter how many channels he had to flip through, he was determined to find a race to watch. From car races to motorcycle races, the sound of loud engines roared through the house every Sunday.
The couple returned to Kentucky after 3 months so his family could meet his new bride. They returned to California where their son Richard was born and they adopted their daughter April. They settled down in Bowling Green, Kentucky where Carol graduated Nursing School and they raised their two children. Carol accepted a position with the Seminole County Health Department in Sanford, FL where Al joined her a year later and also accepted a position within the Health Dept. They spent about four years in Florida before moving to Texas where Carol was offered a position with the Dallas Fire Dept as their first nurse. After they both completely retired, they relocated to Florida to be near their daughter and grandchildren. Al was no stranger to hard work and getting his hands dirty. He spent a lot of his time outside in the garden or tinkering around in the garage. Whether or not anything was fixed during those countless hours in the garage is a different story. However, his work ethic was something that was proudly passed through the family and will forever be a Lawrence trait.
Al leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Carol Sue Lawrence of Chuluota, FL; his son, Richard Lawrence of Wylie, TX and daughter, April Lawrence (Eddie) of Chuluota, FL; five grandchildren Bethany Lawrence of San Diego, CA; Kayla Ellerbe of Geneva, FL; Marissa Ellerbe of Mims, FL; Lukah Lawrence-Brenner and Tristan Ellerbe of Chuluota, FL; two great-grandchildren Carolli Becker and Jaina Jarry; and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Lawrence of Cadiz, KY.
Arrangements have been lovingly handled by Banfield Funeral Home and Crematory (www.BanfieldFuneralHome.com) of Winter Springs, FL. A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at his daughter’s church, First Baptist of Chuluota. The service was officiated by Pastor Troy Peeples and the eulogy was delivered by Bethany Lawrence, Al’s eldest grandchild
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