Elizabeth Lawrence

ANNA, Ill. -- Elizabeth Abernathy Lawrence, 81, of Anna died at 3:35 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Jackson, Missouri.

Elizabeth was born April 25, 1935, in Paris, Tennessee, to Willie J. Rufus and Macy Pearl Ownby Abernathy. Unusual for the time, Elizabeth and her two younger sisters were delivered at home by a female physician.

When Elizabeth was 7, the family moved to Jackson, Tennessee. She graduated from Jackson High School and started working for Southern Bell as an operator.

Elizabeth married Herman Clayton "H.C." Lawrence on July 23, 1954.

Elizabeth's sister and H.C.'s mother lived in the same duplex in Tamms, Illinois. They conspired to introduce the couple. H.C. always said he would never forget Elizabeth's short-shorts at the picnic where they were introduced. They were married about a year later.

After they were married, Elizabeth continued to work at Southern Bell, while H.C. attended Trevecca Nazarene College. After her third child was born, Elizabeth started nursing school. She completed her classes to become a nurse, but was injured in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Elizabeth's desire to become a nurse drove her to enroll in nursing school again, when her youngest son started college. She finally was able to become a registered nurse as she desired.

Elizabeth enjoyed working at nursing homes. When the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna was turned over to a private company, she was instrumental in forcing the state of Illinois to regain control of the home due to the company's treatment of the veterans.

Survivors include five children, Jack (Beverly) Lawrence, Julia "Jill" (Timothy) Halterman, James Clayton "J.C." (Mary) Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence and Jonathan (Sherri) Lawrence; 10 grandchildren, Nicole, Whitney, Abraham, Jacob, Teresa, Tony, David, Julia, Christie and Leslie; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, H.C. Lawrence; all of her siblings; and one grandchild.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with pastor Rob Greif officiating. Interment will be at McCrite Cemetery in Tamms.

Memorials may be made to Teen Challenge and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The Lawrence family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Jackson Manor, as well as Cindy Taylor of Med Plus Healthcare and Hospice, for their wonderful support.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.