Norman Eugene Lawrence, Sr., 85, peacefully moved to Heaven on July 31, 2014 from his home in Colleyville, TX. The viewing is from 9:00am – 10:30am at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home in Irving, followed by a graveside service at 11:00am at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, also in Irving. Norman was born December 5, 1928 in Long Beach, California, the son of George and Jessie (Smith) Lawrence, Sr. He graduated from Poly Technic High School and attended Long Beach City College. On May 15, 1949, he married the love of his life, Naomi Ruth Cloyd, and they moved to Texas. After 44 years of marriage, she moved to Heaven on August 2, 1997. God gave Norman a new companion, Colleen Bailey, and they married October 26, 1999. He loved life to the fullest! As a teenager, he traveled across America with childhood friend, Bob Zinn. He was an accomplished artist, trumpet player and had a successful business, Signs by Norm, which allowed him the pleasure of meeting and attending Sunday school taught by President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalyn, while doing a mural for Dr. Pepper on the local drugstore in Plains, GA. Norman and Colleen sang with the Irving Silvertones and led gospel singing at the Irving Senior Center for over a decade. He was an avid reader and was never without at least one joke of the day! Norman loved his Lord, and spent hours a day with a Bill Gaither Southern Gospel DVD playing in the background. He is preceded in death by both parents, his brother, George Joseph Lawrence, Jr, his wife, Naomi Ruth Cloyd Lawrence, and granddaughter, Joy Ruth Barnett. His family, who will ever cherish his memory, include his wife, Colleen Bailey of Bedford, TX; sister, Dorothy May Lawrence Kessinger-Knoss of Cleveland, TN; sister, Mary Leota Lawrence Daniels, and her husband, Bob of Long Beach, CA; daughter, Caryl Lawrence McAdoo and husband, Ron of Red River County, TX; daughter, Cathy Lawrence Barnett and husband, Kevin of Colleyville, TX; son, Norman Eugene Lawrence, Jr. and wife Gayla of Irving, TX; 12 grandchildren, their spouses and 16 great grandchildren. The family deeply appreciates the help provided by Professional Hospice, and his excellent caregivers, Kris & Francine. Memorials may be made to Mercy House Ministries, PO Box 236, Colleyville, TX 76034.

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