Jean Lawrence

Jean Massie Lawrence, 81, of Mercer Mall Road (Maple View Community), Bluefield, WV, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Princeton Healthcare from complications due to Alzheimer’s. Born on May 1, 1934 in Bluefield, she was a daughter of the late Willard R. and Viola Parsons Massie. Jean was a 1953 graduate of Beaver High School and West Virginia Business College where she obtained a degree in Medical Terminology. She later attended Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA. She was a retired medical transcriptionist and her first job was eight years at the Bluefield Sanitarium in the eye, ear, nose and throat department. She worked as a free-lance correspondent for the Sullivan County News in upper East Tennessee, where she won Third Place in the state for her feature writing, awarded by the Tennessee Press. Jean was a member of the National League of American Penwomen where she held professional status as a Dramatist, Bible Lecturer, and Writer. Her favorite past-time was Christian Women’s work as a retreat speaker and has held many mother/daughter banquets in the area. Jean was a charter member of the MapleView Church of Christ where served faithfully. Of all her ministries, jobs, hobbies and past-times, being a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and mentor was by far her greatest accomplishment. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Lillie Mae Brooks and her husband Ronald, and Mary Edna Massie; and brothers, James Willard Massie, who died in infancy, and Marvin Walker. Survivors include: Husband of 57 years: John Lawrence of the home 2 sons: Abe John Lawrence, III and wife Cyndi of Estero, FL Willard Massie Lawrence and wife Lisa of Charleston, WV 4 grandchildren: Abe John Lawrence, IV of wife Katelyn of Dallas, TX Melissa Hope Westerfield and husband Michael of Cincinnati, OH Thomas Jeffery Lawrence and Marcus David Lawrence of Charleston, WV Great granddaughter: Isabella Lucille Westerfield of Cincinnati, OH Sisters: Marie Constantino and husband Tony of Bluefield Freda Stevenson and husband Jim of Bristol, VA Brother: Orrin K. Walker of Falls Mills, VA Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the MapleView Church of Christ; 194 Robins Rest Road, Bluefield, WV, with Ministers Tony Reed and Caleb Penwell officiating. Burial will follow on Tuesday at the Wilson Cemetery in Floyd, VA. Friends may call on Monday from 5:00-7:00 at Maple View Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated and can be made to the MapleView Church of Christ, 194 Robins Rest Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road (Bluewell), Bluefield, WV 24701 is serving the family.