Proverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. On Thursday, July 14, God opened up the gates to heaven and welcomed home another one of His precious children. Jesus was there to greet her, welcoming her as he laid His own purple robe upon her shoulders. Lafayette smiled, and the angels rejoiced! Mary Lafayette Martin Lawrence was born June 26, 1934, in Surry County, the only daughter of William Harvey and Verlie Pruitt Martin. Lafayette was well known for her passion for purple. "The Lavender Lady" was loved and admired by all. She was a dedicated member and worker of Little Pines Church of the Brethren, Ennice. Lafayette worked her entire life in manufacturing, starting at Chatham Manufacturing Company. Then she was a supervisor at Salem Apparel, finally retiring from Elkin Valley Apparel as head supervisor. Lafayette was known to be generous, encouraging and patient. She prided herself in a job not just done right, but perfectly. Lafayette labored tirelessly beside her employees and was respected by all. Lafayette stated that perhaps her greatest accomplishment was teaching her granddaughter, Tess, how to stitch and sew. Lafayette loved every minute she spent with Tess and would often tell others of the many secrets she and Tess shared but never the secrets themselves!. Also, she often spoke fondly of times they would crawl around on the floor for hours building whole worlds and conducting parades. Lafayette was very proud of her granddaughter, but even prouder of her only child Kaye. When Lafayette spoke Kaye's name a look of longing came over her. Lafayette missed being with her daughter who lives many miles away. "The Lavender Lady" was a true Southern Belle with an inner beauty that shone from the inside and radiated through the glow on her face. Though genteel, Lafayette knew the value of a hard day's work. Always rising before daylight as Proverbs 31:15 states, "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." Lafayette's hands were never idle. And with each day, as those diseased hands weakened and lost their strength, she never questioned her lot in life, only praising God for the years He had generously given her, saying, "I always prayed for God to let me live long enough to raise my daughter Kaye, and He did, so what do I have to complain about? I see women in the paper all the time who have passed, and they are only in their thirties or forties!" Lafayette was a gracious hostess. She always had a delicious piece of pie or cake to offer her guests. Friends, family and neighbors will forever crave her pecan pies, pineapple-carrot, German chocolate, and fresh apple cakes. Lafayette is survived by her husband of sixty years, John Billie Lawrence. He lovingly cared for her as she had him as the illness slowly ravished her body. She is also survived by her only child, Kaye Lawrence, and husband, William Crain, of Portland, Maine. Granddaughter, Theresa Crain. Brother, Jim Martin and sister-in-law, JoAnn. Brother and sisters-in-law, Tom and Thelma Davis, Jerry and Nellie Jo Park, Sammy and Betty Brooks, James and Ann Lawrence, Jack and Pat Lawrence, and Helen Bauguess. Lafayette also leaves behind many cherished friends, especially Rosa Lee Mathis and Betty Galyean, several nieces and nephews, a special niece, Sarah Byrd, and a very, very special adopted family, Danny, Carol, Logan and Morgan Minton. Your me-ma loved you very much Logan and Morgan! Preceding Lafayette in death was a brother, Bill Martin, and sisters-in-law Jean Martin and Ruby Wells, also brother-in-law Lee Lawrence and cherished sister-in-law, Eva. Lafayette and her family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice for the care they gave to Lafayette, especially to the ones who were there every day offering their kindness and skill. You will never know how very special you were to Lafayette and how much she appreciated all you did for her. The funeral will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00. Lafayette's body will be laid to rest at Crestwood Memorial Gardens while her spirit will be soaring with her beloved angels in heaven. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Mountain Valley Hospice. The legacy of someone's life cannot be told in a few paragraphs. The account of one's life is written by her own journey, in the days, weeks and years she spends on this earth. Lafayette's passage was finally like a lingering sonnet, not always flowing smoothly, not always rhyming, but sweet to the ear, lovely to the eye, and with just enough grit to be remembered -- always.
