Mother Maxine A. Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Mother Maxine A. - Age 94, passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 at Stonegate Health Center-Lapeer, MI. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2013 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, 609 E. Fifth Ave., with funeral service at 11 a.m. Fr. William Lugger officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Monday. Mother Lawrence will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Maxine Augusta Lawrence was born on October 14, 1919 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Mr. and Mrs. James Madison Ethel (Moss) Lawrence, Sr. She was baptized as an infant and was a devout Catholic her entire life. Maxine was one of seven children; James Madison Lawrence Jr., William Lawrence, Allison Lawrence Chandler, Florence Lawrence, Elaine Cavalier, and Doris Smith. Maxine attended New Orleans public schools as a child, and later moved to Chicago with relatives to begin work as a young adult. She married Russell Colvin and moved to Michigan. Upon Russell’s death, Maxine became employed for 20 years at Grand Blanc Metal Fabricating, a division of General Motors. Maxine always took pride in being independent and taking care of herself. Maxine later married Ernest Wingate, Sr. of Flint, Michigan who preceded her in death. Maxine’s life has been such a joy to so many. She adored children and spent her life in service to others. Ernest C. Carter, her great nephew, fondly known as “Pookie,” was the twinkle in Maxine’s eye, as she lovingly raised him to adulthood. The sun rose and sat on “Pookie.” Maxine was a caregiver throughout her life and made all of her kids-her gems feel special though. She proudly attended the important moments of all of their lives; First Communions and Confirmations, ball games, recitals, cotillions, birthday parties, graduations and weddings. You knew you were special and loved by Granny Max. Besides the kids, Maxine always shared what was on her mind. You never had to wonder what she was thinking, because she was going to tell you for sure. Whether about sports, the kids, politics, eating, your actions, or money, you would be told soon. She could be cantankerous, if she chose. Maxine had such a caring heart, shown in a number of ways in what she did; she nurtured her sick husband Ernie through his illness; she cared for her and husband’s friend, Capp during his long illness; she took in family members for years after Katrina. Maxine cared about her church, her job, her family and friends. She loved working in her church with the Altar Society, serving the poor, preparing the altar and assisting grieving family members. Maxine took great pride in attending Mass each weekend, even after she could no longer drive. She was able to continue to get her hair and nails done each week, as well as attend church with the help of family and friends. She enjoyed visitors and loved to visit, as well. Maxine had a number of friends and extended family, that she enjoyed talking to, spending time with and sharing her life. Maxine leaves the following to cherish her loving memory: Father William Luggar, Father William Wegher and Father Matthew Fedawa, who provided Maxine spiritual guidance for years; good friends that she talked with daily, Sadara Lathon, Delia Refice, and Anne Mahon. She so missed her husband, Ernie and her friends, Anne Hester, Peter Wingate and Capp; niece, Cynthia (Woody); lived with her and kept her company for 7 years, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce (Beverly) Cousin of West Bloomfield, MI along with children, Benecia, Beneque, and Lil’ Bruce; 40 yrs of family time, Mr. and Mrs. (Laura) Marzuq Rahmaad; friends and family, father and step-mother to “Pookie” (Ernest Carter), along with children, LaMar and Jamillah Rahmaad, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly (Theresa) Medley, Mother Anne Mohan, children Alexis, KJ, and Danielle; years of family time, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wesley of Flint; friends always on call, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald (Rosemary) Walters, that picked her up and took her to church each week; family friend and doctors: Dr. Evelyn Alumit, Genevive, Geradine & Gladys; Dr. and Mrs. (Anne) Chan, w/daughter Amy and son, Christopher who took care of her medical, but socialized as family, friend Charles Wingfield, Capp’s brother, assisted wherever needed; in Louisiana; Sharon Whittey, Kim Whittey, Lisa Whittey, Petty Whittey, Cynthia Carter, Clythia Anderson, Gerald Lawrence, Shawndra Smith, Danielle Smith, Kecia Wilson in Texas, Elaine Preasley and Kyle Anderson in Arizona; Cheryl Oliver Laveen, Connie Muhammud, Takiyah Brown Chandler in Alabama, Dr. James Lawrence in California, Malvin “Beebop” Tucker in Michigan and Myra Hanes. We will all miss our beloved Maxine, Granny Max or Nana Max, whatever your term of endearment, but she will never be far, because she will reside within your heart. The family would like to express special thanks to Ernest C. Carter and Casey Joy Foote, Bruce Dominic Cousin, Marzuq and Laura Rahmaad, St. Michael’s, Moon Funeral Home, Stonegate Health Center and the host of friends who remained caring friends until the end. We will see our loving Maxine on the other side one day.

Mother Maxine A. Lawrence

October 14, 1919 - December 16, 2013