ALTHEA MOREY LAWRENCE

Althea Morey Lawrence passed away on August 28, 2026, at Self Nursing Care in Hueytown, Alabama, at exactly 99½ years of age. Her remarkable life—spanning nearly a century—was distinguished by lifelong faith, devoted family relationships, Christian missionary service, education, leadership, and an enduring dedication to God and others. Althea was born on February 28, 1927, in North Chili, New York, a community near Rochester. She was the daughter of Leon Percy Morey and Hazel Celestine Perkins Morey. When Althea was only two years old, she experienced a serious illness that appeared life-threatening. Her recovery was an early demonstration of the strength and resilience that would characterize her long life. She grew up in North Chili alongside her siblings, Miriam “MICKEY” Lomavitu, Theodore “Ted” Morey, Joyce Smith, Ellsworth Morey, Charles Morey, and Sylvia Fraser. She was preceded in death by her parents and all six of her siblings. Althea valued education and teaching throughout her life. She earned an associate degree from Roberts Wesleyan College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Seattle Pacific College. She later completed graduate education courses at Samford University and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. On June 30, 1951, Althea married David Smith Lawrence in North Chili, New York. They shared more than 66 years of marriage before David preceded her in death on September 29, 2017. Together, they established a family and ministry legacy that would reach across generations, cultures, and continents. From 1957 until 2001, Althea and David served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea with Ethnos360, formerly known as New Tribes Mission. During more than four decades of missionary service, Althea devoted herself to elementary education, educational leadership, and tribal evangelism. Her work reflected her lifelong and consistent dedication to serving God and sharing the Christian faith. Althea’s Christian faith was not merely something she professed; it shaped the direction and purpose of her life. She was loving, determined, prayerful, intelligent, hospitable, generous, resilient, devoted to her family, and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed reading, music, teaching, missionary work, and opportunities to serve God and others. Churches holding an important place in Althea’s life and ministry included First Baptist Church of Salem, Oregon, which served as a leading supporting home church; a Baptist church in Sanford, Florida; and Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church in McCalla, Alabama. Althea was the loving mother of five children: Steven Brette Lawrence and his wife, Gay; Joy Cherise McInturff and her husband, Richard; Craig David Lawrence and his wife, Pam; Dana Mark Lawrence and his wife, Carol; and Cherie Jill Ramos and her husband, Reinaldo. Her youngest daughter, Cherie, preceded her in death in 2010. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Nathanael “Nate,” Joshua “Josh,” Timothy “Tim,” Stacy, Kristina, Tonya, Heidi, Keri, Craig Jr., Jordan, Justin, Victoria, Cheere, Cassie, Jasmine, Rey, and Crystal; several dozen great-grandchildren; and other members of her extended family. In addition to her husband, David; her daughter, Cherie; her parents; and her siblings, Althea was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Hazel, who was married to her son Craig and passed away in 2013. The Lawrence family expresses its sincere appreciation to the staff and caregivers of Self Nursing Care, as well as the hospice personnel and others who provided Althea with compassionate care and assistance. The visitation will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, at Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church, in McCalla. A funeral and celebration of Althea’s life will be at 11:00 AM at the Church, in McCalla. A funeral and celebration if Althea's life will be at 11:00 AM at the Church. Althea will be laid to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Florida. Flowers are welcome. Those wishing to honor Althea through a monetary memorial contribution may direct their gifts to Ethnos360 in Sanford, Florida. Althea’s influence cannot be measured merely by the extraordinary number of years she lived. It is also reflected in the generations of her family, the students she taught, the people she served, and the lives reached through her missionary work. Her legacy of faith, learning, perseverance, humor, and loving service will continue through all those who were blessed to know her.

ALTHEA MOREY LAWRENCE

February 28, 1927 - August 28, 2026