Obituary for Lionel Hampton Lawrence
Lionel Hampton Lawrence was born on November 21, 1944 in Jacksonville Florida to Alberta Willis Lawrence, Newport News, VA and the late Joe Lee Lawrence. Lionel graduated from Lincoln High School in Gainesville, Florida and joined the Air Force for four years, he then became a Naval Reservist. After serving in the military, Lionel became employed with United Parcel Service (UPS). During that time he continued his education and attended Essex County College where he received an Associate of Science Degree in Music. He worked faithfully for the United Parcel Service for 31 years, and how about this interesting fact…… Lionel received an award from MACK inducting him into the Million Mile Club, where upon retirement not only did he drive equivalent to 40 times around the world, but also without any accidents or absences. He was also in the top ten seniority drivers for the state of NJ.
After retiring from UPS, Lionel moved to Jacksonville Florida with the intentions of laying back and relaxing, which as we all know, didn’t last long. Less than a year later he became restless and was ready for a new challenge. He embarked on his new career as a Nuclear Lab Technician for the Cardinal Health System, and remained employed for almost 20 years until the time of his passing.
Lionel was a faithful member for numerous churches throughout his career as a minister of music, with his most current membership at the Phillip R. Cousins AME Church until his sunset. He was a gifted musician as a singer with a distinctive and smooth baritone voice and multiinstrumentalist. Another interesting fact; he was the name sake of the famous jazz legend Lionel Hampton who was very close friends with his dad, Joe Lee Lawrence.
Lionel was also a Shriner and Mason at St. Johns Lodge Chapter 43 East Orange, New Jersey. Lionel will always be remembered as an even-tempered, “smooth” consistently kind very humble and thoughtful gentleman. He was well respected by many. He was the “Classic” man. He was about peace, and never the author of confusion. He had a unique way of diffusing a situation without saying much. He was short with words, but long with patience. He was not a talker, but was a great communicator. He loved and supported all of his children equally. Though many miles away throughout their lives, he was always close, faithful and the perfect role model. He taught his children to love the Lord, and trust in God.
Lionel departed this life on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Saint Vincent Medical Center Southside. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Lee Lawrence; brother, Joe Lee Lawrence Williams Sr. (Sarge); and great-grandson, Jalil Wilson.
Lionel leaves to cherish loving memories: four children, Sharon Dozier (Doral) (Townsend, GA), Theresa-Sheree Jelks (Maplewood, NJ), Lionel Damon Lawrence (San Diego, CA), and Barry Lawrence (Newark NJ); five grandchildren, Jennifer DeWitt, Lionel Peoples, Gregory Lawrence, Sidney Anderson and Daiylin Lawrence; six great-grandchildren, Jaylen DeWitt, Trinyah Vereen ,Trinity Vereen, Trystin Vereen, Jair Peoples and Laiyah Peoples; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Lionel Hampton Lawrence will be held 10:00 am Friday, November 1st, 2019 at the Phillip R Cousin AME Church 2601 Orange Picker Road Jacksonville, Florida 32223. The visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at the Funerals By T. S. Warden 4315 North Main Street Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234
After retiring from UPS, Lionel moved to Jacksonville Florida with the intentions of laying back and relaxing, which as we all know, didn’t last long. Less than a year later he became restless and was ready for a new challenge. He embarked on his new career as a Nuclear Lab Technician for the Cardinal Health System, and remained employed for almost 20 years until the time of his passing.
Lionel was a faithful member for numerous churches throughout his career as a minister of music, with his most current membership at the Phillip R. Cousins AME Church until his sunset. He was a gifted musician as a singer with a distinctive and smooth baritone voice and multiinstrumentalist. Another interesting fact; he was the name sake of the famous jazz legend Lionel Hampton who was very close friends with his dad, Joe Lee Lawrence.
Lionel was also a Shriner and Mason at St. Johns Lodge Chapter 43 East Orange, New Jersey. Lionel will always be remembered as an even-tempered, “smooth” consistently kind very humble and thoughtful gentleman. He was well respected by many. He was the “Classic” man. He was about peace, and never the author of confusion. He had a unique way of diffusing a situation without saying much. He was short with words, but long with patience. He was not a talker, but was a great communicator. He loved and supported all of his children equally. Though many miles away throughout their lives, he was always close, faithful and the perfect role model. He taught his children to love the Lord, and trust in God.
Lionel departed this life on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Saint Vincent Medical Center Southside. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Lee Lawrence; brother, Joe Lee Lawrence Williams Sr. (Sarge); and great-grandson, Jalil Wilson.
Lionel leaves to cherish loving memories: four children, Sharon Dozier (Doral) (Townsend, GA), Theresa-Sheree Jelks (Maplewood, NJ), Lionel Damon Lawrence (San Diego, CA), and Barry Lawrence (Newark NJ); five grandchildren, Jennifer DeWitt, Lionel Peoples, Gregory Lawrence, Sidney Anderson and Daiylin Lawrence; six great-grandchildren, Jaylen DeWitt, Trinyah Vereen ,Trinity Vereen, Trystin Vereen, Jair Peoples and Laiyah Peoples; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Lionel Hampton Lawrence will be held 10:00 am Friday, November 1st, 2019 at the Phillip R Cousin AME Church 2601 Orange Picker Road Jacksonville, Florida 32223. The visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at the Funerals By T. S. Warden 4315 North Main Street Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234