Martha Irma Pearson-Lawrence

Martha Irma Pearson Lawrence completed her labor on earth and continued her peaceful journey to her reward on August 1, 2023. She was born on May 25, 1925, to William Pearson and Elmina King in Asheville, North Carolina.

At the age of eight, she joined her first church, Wilson Chapel Methodist Church, in Asheville. She attended Allen School, a private boarding school, where she lived at home. She worked to supplement her tuition by assisting with lunchroom cleanup daily, thus beginning her lifetime hard work ethic. In 1940, her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in 1943.

At Shiloh, Martha became the youth piano musician for Sunday school for four years. She was always involved in music. She sang in choirs all through school and church. She was one of the original members of the children’s singing group “The Cabin Kids” from the comedy television show “The Little Rascals” while never appearing on the show. She graduated from East High School in 1944. Her excellent piano skills won her the honored position of musician to play all the musical selections for her high school graduation, which prevented her from marching with her class.

In 1955, she joined Mt. Olivet Baptist Church to attend the same church as her husband. She was a member of the Chancellor Choir, directed the Youth Choir, and attended Sunday school regularly. She enjoyed being involved with many musical programs. She participated in many choirs from Ohio to Turkey.

Upon graduation from high school, Martha was recruited to work for the federal government, where she retired with 31 years of service. Her 31 years of service included employment in Ohio, New Jersey, and Turkey. She was not finished working! She obtained a senior employment position at the Columbus Council of World Affairs, where she worked for 13 years. This job afforded her many opportunities to meet foreign delegates and TNT network owner Ted Turner! Her work there also allowed her to visit her lifetime dream destination Cuba.

Throughout Martha’s life, she was a very compassionate person. She had a heart for all people. After retiring, she began a card campaign, sending cards to the church sick and shut in. She also adopted two nursing homes that she visited to play hymns and deliver individual bags of fruit to residents. She became a regular visitor the residents knew by sight and by name. Upon her arrival, they’d say, “Martha’s here’ and thanked her for bringing the church to them. She supported the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and became a lifetime member.

Martha had many interests. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, and musical movies; her favorite music was classical. She read the newspaper from cover to cover and completed the paper crossword puzzles. She loved traveling and visited many places nationally and internationally. All can recount the many quips she quoted throughout the years.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, William Pearson, Elmina King, Judson Patton (stepfather), her husband Roosevelt Lawrence, stepson Joseph Lawrence and brother William Pearson. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughter Audrey Cobb of Raleigh, North Carolina, son Charles Amos of Columbus, Ohio, daughter Rosalind Lawrence-Groce of Columbus, Ohio, daughter Rhonda (Timothy) Davis of Hampton, Virginia, daughter-in-law Elaine Lawrence of Detroit, Michigan, 13 Grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives, adopted relatives and special friends.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, August 11, 2023 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 428 E. Main St.

Interment at Arlington Memorial Gardens.

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