On Saturday, January 27, 2024, while asleep at home in the afternoon, Edith Gray Lawrence slept away from time to eternity.  She was preceded in death by her father, John W. Gray, her mother Ruby E. Gray and her eldest sister Alice Gray Hundley.

Edith was the product of the Virginia Education System from first grade through high school and received her high school diploma from George P. Phenix in the class of 1962. She was a graduate of Norfolk State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. For more than three decades, she used her knowledge to teach and mentor students at Alfred Forrest Elementary School in Hampton.

Edith and James were high school classmates, and both attended Norfolk State University. It was during their time at Norfolk State that the relationship grew and on June 27, 1970 they were united in marriage. From the marriage they were blessed with two sons, Rahsaan and Toshiko.

Edith's faith was evident at an early age when she was active in the youth ministry at Zion Baptist Church in Newport News. Her active participation at Zion continued throughout her adulthood. When Edith married, it was her decision to worship with her husband, James, at his church. As a result, she moved her membership to the Spirit of Life Christian Church (formerly Riverview Baptist Church). She became as much involved in her new church home as she had been in her previous church. She embraced her new church family and worked diligently with the Outreach Ministry and assisted with teaching the youth. Her laughter and joyous spirit were infectious and endeared her to those in her new church home. Because of her dedication, she was asked to chair the Senior Citizen Ministry. She stressed the scripture, "I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me". She firmly believed that seniors should be active and stay active, not using age as an excuse to withdraw from activities that they enjoyed. She also was asked to become chair of the Funeral Ministry. This became her passion because of the family losses she had experienced. She made sure that each family that suffered a loss received the aid and assistance they needed to sustain them during a very difficult time. She continued this even when her health started to decline. She was determined to do to the best of her ability. Her Creator knew she had done her best and now it was time for her to sleep and take her rest and on Saturday, January 27, 2024 the will of God was accomplished.

She leaves to continue her legacy, her husband of 53 years, James Clifton Lawrence; her sons, Rahsaan Vijay Lawrence and Toshiko Ashford Lawrence; and to cherish her memory, sister Carolyn Gray White; nieces Monica Hundley Pitre, Shacara Pitre, Michelle Hundley; and nephew Patrick White.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Spirit of Life Christian Church, 94 Lincoln Street, Hampton. Entombment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.