Obituary of Ellen L. Lawrence

Ellen L. Lawrence, formerly of Olean, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Sarah Renter, at 220 Golden Road, Rochester surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Lawrence was born on May 21, 1932 in Burdett, NY and was a daughter of Clifford and Marvella Turner Blackwell. On July 18, 1953 in Morris, Pa. she married her husband of almost 41 years The Rev. Paul S. Lawrence, who pre-deceased her on Jan. 7, 1994. Mrs. Lawrence was a 1950 graduate of Liberty High School, Pa and attended Bob Jones University, SC. She served as church pianist in most of the churches her husband pastored, including Wesleyan Churches in Wellsboro, Morris, Westfield, Bradford, and Eldred, PA, Cattaraugus and Olean, and the Haskell Community Church in Cuba. Ellen was a wonderful example of love. Her desire was that others, particularly her family, would come to know and love the Lord. Ellen enjoyed gospel music, watching birds and other wildlife, and spending time with loved ones. Mrs. Lawrence is survived by two sons, John (Joyce) Lawrence of Medina, Ohio, and Stan (Carol) Lawrence of Salamanca; three daughters, Sarah "Sally" (Paul) Renter of Rochester, Katherine Herbert Lawrence of Olean, and Elaine Myszka Lawrence of Cuba; 12 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a brother, Nelson Blackwell of Scranton, Pa; a sister, Patricia (Blaine) Allen of Mansfield, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Lawrence was pre-deceased by her older brother, Clifford Blackwell, Jr. in 1945. Friends will be received on Thursday April 11, 2013 in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 11:00 am in the Hillside Wesleyan Church 753 Prospect Ave, Olean. The Rev. Tom Balentine and The Rev. Roy DeVries will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Houghton. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gideons International 25 California Dr., Buffalo, NY 14221, McCrea Brook Wesleyan Church 430 McCrea Brook Rd., Eldred, PA 16731, Spencerport Bible Church 1948 N. Union St., Spencerport, NY14559, or the Visiting Nurse Service Hospice Care of Rochester and Monroe County, 2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.