of Conway, AR
March 28, 1957 - September 8, 2019
Terry Joe (T.J.) Lawrence, 62, of Vilonia, went to his heavenly home, Sunday, September 8, 2019. He was born March 28th, 1957, in Conway, Arkansas, to Farris Jack and Edna Lawrence.
Terry loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He had a kind servant heart and received much joy from helping others. He was a born again Christian and attended Antioch Baptist Church. Terry was a skilled painter and enjoyed many hours of working with his brother, Larry, and special friends. He was employed at the Conway Human Development Center for the past 23 years. Terry was also a master electrician and spent time working for Entergy, as a journeyman. He loved to have fun and if you spent time with him, you would most likely be subject to one of his pranks. He was loved very much by his family and friends, who will miss him dearly.
Terry was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Doyle and Carrie Lawrence and Amos and Oma Love.
He is survived by his mother; children, Tara Gunter and husband Mark, Laci Sweeney and husband John; four grandchildren; Zane Gunter, Zoie Gunter, Tinlee Sweeney, and Jack Sweeney; two brothers; Jackie Lawrence and wife Pam, Larry Lawrence and wife Donna; niece; Courtney Swaffar; nephews; Colt Lawrence and Farris Lawrence, and a host of other family members and friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 12, 2019, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, AR. A Memorial Service will be on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Antioch Baptist Church.
Terry loved playing with his grandchildren and attending all of their activities. He had a heart for the children of his community and always took the time to make them feel special. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Charlie Roller Memorial Fund, at First Security Bank, P.O. Box 720, Vilonia, AR 72173, which will help continue his legacy, by supporting students in the Vilonia School District.
My heart goes out to all of the family members. I hope, that in time, precious memories will ease the pain in your hearts. God Bless.
i was so sorry to hear of terrys passing. he was a great guy and will be missed. it was a great memorial service. prayers for his family.
Stunned when I heard about Terry. He was like no other. I can not write all the good people seen in this man. Always the same clean good looking smile on his face. Never met a stranger, go over and beyond for anyone. I hurt for his family, but I’m positive Terry is with the Lord. All of us need to be ready and we will see Terry again. He is smiling that big smile with those blue eyes talking to us all, saying give your life to Jesus , Heaven is Wonderful! To his family I’m praying for you. I know how much sadness is in your hearts. I’m honored to be apart of his family. My Daddy loved Jack Lawrence and is family. He would always talk about Lawrence family with pride and respect . I feel the same and glad to share my family’s thoughts to yours. I’m honored to have worked and know Terry and his family. Phillppians 1:3. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Kay
Although I haven’t seen TJ for many years I have nothing but good memories of him when my family lived in Vilonia. He was my classmate but also a friend. Last I heard from him was when my sweet daughter passed over 12 years ago. What a nice surprise it was to hear from him at that time. He told me all about his sweet family. I pray for comfort for your hearts and minds. We will see him again someday 🧡 Lisa Quirk Wilson
Continued Prayers for All of the family!
Terry you will be missed by so many everybody you met you touched there lives I will miss those beautiful Eyes and that crooked little Smile
We are so terribly sorry for your great loss. Sending our prayers for eventual peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father.
With Love & Deepest Sympathies,
This world has lost a wonderful and genuinely nice guy. You will be missed. Praying for Terry’s family
Sending thoughts and prayers to this dear family & community. May God's perfect peace and understanding flood your hearts deeply. --such great high school memories of TJ
I graduated in 1977, but came here in the 9th grade. I played basketball and Terry did also. He was a couple of yrs older and very popular, but when no one else did in the beginning, I remember Terry smiling and saying hello every time we passed in the hall, and every time we got on the bus to go to a game. If you think it doesn't make a difference to someone, simply just to acknowledge them, you would be wrong. Terry did! He remained influential in my life as I got to know him and we became very good friends. When my husband and I decided to move back to Vilonia to raise our children I ran into him at Dewey's. Told him we were moving back, but my sister had my kids because we were told we couldn't have the electricity turned on until 2 1/2 weeks and school had just started. Terry said "I think I can fix that" and sure enough, within 48 hours poles were installed and we had electricity. I am heartbroken and my heart aches for the entire family. I am praying for you daily. He left this world on my birthday and far sooner than we would have liked. I loved Terry and will miss his warm hugs and his good-looking face, smiles and especially those beautiful eyes of his. I love all of your family and your extended family.. I am so sad for Ms Edna, Jackie, and Larry. Lean on us ANYTIME and we will be there, Sandra Gordon Hedrick
Words will not do justice to express the sadness I felt when I saw this news. Terry has a shining star for his children and grandchildren. The world will miss this man. Bless all of you.
I work at the Conway Human Development Center. (45 years).
While I did not know Terry well, I know that smile. He had it on that face, anytime I saw him. He was always-always-polite and respectful.
I care...
Ms. Esther
My thoughts and prayers are with his family he will be greatly missed
My deepest condolences to his family. Terry was a ray of sunshine and a blessing to all. He will be missed.
We love you guys! So sorry for your loss.
What a major loss to the Vilonia community. A wonderful man with an unforgettable smile and laugh. My heart is broken for everyone has been touched by losing you. Your family is in so many peoples thoughts and prayers. Prayers for strength, comfort, and some kind of understanding of their loss.
Love
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Terry will be missed by all who knew him.
TJ was a great man and a special friend. He loved his family and all his friends and will be deeply missed
Sorry for you loss he was loved by many and will be missed.
My prayers go out to all Terry’s family. I know everyone is still in shock to loose such a wonderful son,brother, father and grand dad. Terry loved you all so much. God bless you all, he will be missed everyday because he touched so many life’s.
My prayers are with the Lawrence family. Terry was a kind, gentle man and he will be greatly missed. May the Lord hold you all a little closer during this time and know that Terry was loved by many. With all my respect.
Mary Nell
Sorry for your loss. Terry was a special person that was well liked by anyone he came in contact with. I Praying for all of the family at this time.
Edna, Jackie, Larry and family, my heart breaks for all of you. May God bless and keep his arms wrapped around each of you during this most difficult time.
Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Terry Joe will truly be missed. I just can't say enough nice things about him. Such a gentle, sweet, loving young man. I am honored to know him and truly enjoyed being around him. My heart is truly broken.. God bless his dear family!
Terry Joe will truly be missed. I just can't say enough nice things about him. Such a gentle, sweet, loving young man. I am honored to know him and truly enjoyed being around him. My heart is truly broken.. God bless his dear family!
Everyone should be blessed with a friend like Terry, to his Family I pray for guidance in the days to come. Thoughtful, kind, caring, and I could go on and on about the qualities Terry possessed. Fly High my friend I’ll miss you everyday.ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»
I'm gonna miss that smile and laugh. Terry was a sweet man! Rest easy. Wishing comfort and peace to Terry's family.
To my dear friend. I am going to miss you dearly. The laughs we have had. You will always be "My Terry". To his family we share your lost. May God give you strength. Fly high my friend. Great memories, much love!
To the family of Terry Lawrence, I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. Terry was one of my best friends. I still am in shock and disbelief, and I know you are too. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers cause I know it is hard on you all. I loved him so much and am going to miss him deeply. Until we see him again. Jesus come quickly.
Terry was one of the kindest people I know!!! He always made a point to stop and say Hello if he was up by my office. We both loved Elvis Presley and he even bought me a calendar one year!! His smile would light up any room!!! I am so blessed that I had the pleasure of knowing such a kind sweet person!! My prayers are with you all!!!
Dear Family, my heart breaks for your loss. I worked with Terry at CHDC. He has a wonderful giving heart. I truly hope your pain subsides. God Bless
You will be greatly missed Terry Joe. Still so hard to believe you have left us far too soon. You had the best heart and always had a smile. Praying God's peace, comfort and understanding over all your family in this sorrowful time and the days ahead. Rest easy in the arms of our loving Lord.
My friend... I just want to here your voice again. There are no words. Only sadness and broken heart. I miss you something awful TL. May you rest in peace and always know how much I loved you. To your precious family... you were blessed to call him yours. I pray... Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I worked with Terry Joe in the Maintenance Department at CHDC. After I left in 1999, as with others, he never forgot my birthday, he would always send a happy birthday text, never missing a year. My heart aches because he is no longer here. His love for his family was Everything!! Words somehow seem so trivial and inadequate, and so I'll just continue asking God's Blessings on each of you during these Very Hard and Very Difficult times. It was indeed a pleasure to have known him.
Terry Joe, words can't describe how I feel. To your family, my God be with you all. You have lost a very great man that has touched the lives of so many people in such a positive way. My heart is broken like all of Terry's family and friends. May God comfort you all and hold you during this difficult time.
My prayers are with the Lawrence family now and in the days to come. May God hold you tight and bring you the comfort that only He can.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Terry will be missed by many.
Dear Family- So Sorry. Terry Joe is in heaven and praising Jesus and although we don't understand all that happens on this earth we know that nothing escapes God and that he is always there to carry us through. I pray for the comfort of God to be felt in you all. I worked with Terry Joe at CHDC for many years and he will be missed by all that knew him and cared for him. Our prayers are with each family member and also his many friends during the next weeks and months to come. Our deepest sympathy to you all..
no words to express the depth of sorrow I feel for the family of Terry jo … so many memories to hang onto ...prayers for comfort and peace for the family and friends
Our love to Terry's family, he was one of the nicest man that we met when we moved here 30 years ago, he will be missed by so many!
Praying for you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
RIP Terry. Prayers for the family.
My dear Lawrence family, my heart breaks for each one. Terry Joe was a friend since we started school and rode the school bus together. Through out the years we stayed friend and always enjoyed visiting with each other. Prayers for all in the days ahead. I am out of town and will not be able to attend his service but my heart is with each one. Love to all
So sorry for your loss. We will keep the family in our prayers.
Prayers for the Lawrence family in your time of loss. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your family’s loss. We are not able to attend the services, as we are out of state. Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts and prayers are on your family. Allen and Gayla.
We are so thankful that our Lord crossed our paths all those years ago, this family has always been a blessing in our family’s lives. We love you and will miss you brother, until we are all together in our real home. Praying God’s peace & comfort to you who loved him best.
A great man that will truly be missed by all
My heart bleeds for Terry’s Family at this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. Praying for the family during this difficult time!
My sincerest condolences to the Lawrence Family. All will be in my prayers. If you knew Terry, you knew each of his family member's names. Loved his girl's and his grandchildren. Family was so important to this sweet, caring man. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by so many. RIP Terry!!!
Terry always had a smile and was so kind. Prayers for all the family during this difficult time, with deepest sympathy.
Craig and Shawn Johnston
There are no words that can help soothe the broken hearts,the loneliness, the hurt. God only knows...he has Terry in his arms now. My prayer for this family is that those same arms embrace each of you. May he bring you peace.
So very sorry to hear about Terry Joe. He was a great man and loved his family. My prayers are with you all in this time of heavy sorrow. It will take God’s strength to carry each of you through this very difficult time. God be with you.
I'm so sad to hear this. Terry Joe will always be special to me. He was a kind person. Everyone loved him.
To the family I will pray everyday for the LoRd to comfort you.
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Terry. My heart is sad over the loss of such a kind soul. Terry was always such a pleasure to work with,he will be missed.
Terry will be so missed by so many. Love, hugs and prayers for the family.
Praying for you all. Love and prayers,
Deena Hartsfield
I will always remember Terry as a fun loving, outgoing and genuine individual with a huge smile on his face and a pleasant and overwhelming personality. May God bless and comfort his family and friends during this most difficult time. Rest in peace my friend! Glenn
Thoughts and prayers for the Lawrence families.
Laci I am so sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my thought and prayers. Michelle (Lindsey Hambrick's mom)
Dear Lawrence family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have been blessed to know your family for 26+ years. When I began teaching at Vilonia, your family made me feel like part of the Vilonia family. Your Daddy was always kind, funny, and he loved you girls so much! I cannot imagine the loss you are going through and feel helpless on how to ease any of your suffering. I offer you my prayers, love, and support always and especially during the months ahead. Love, Leanne (Moss) Bradley
He will always be missed. He was good company to talk too. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
I will miss you Terry. Your smile was worth a million dollars. You had a big heart. Thank you for the all the advice you gave me. Rest in peace my friend.
You will be missed by so many. You had a generous heart and a contagious laugh. R. I. L. You will not be forgotten.
May God comfort and strengthen you all!! Terry was an awesome man that was loved by many!! He was always very kind, helpful and encouraging to me. I know he loved his family very much! May God wrap you all in his loving arms as you go through this very difficult time.
Terry was a great man and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for all his family, his daughters and grandchildren.
Tara and family. I am so sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. We are praying for you and the family.
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for peace and understanding for your family. â¤ï¸ Michael, Julie, Lauryn & Clayton Kimbrell
Terry has been on my mind this week as I struggle with the loss of such a good man. He was so good with his Mom and Dad when they were having medical problems. He came there nearly every single day to mow, repair, and countless other jobs he did to help Jack and Edna be able to stay at home as both were on walkers at the time. He stopped by my house last summer and weed eater my ditches. He told me it was the least he could do for someone that helped take care at f his parents. Rest In Peace Terry, you are surely missed!
I am so sorry for your loss. Terry was a very good person and loved everyone that he came in contact with. You will be in our prayers.
To his precious daughters and grands brothers and sister in law’s and his sweet momma, I’m so very sorry fort this tremendous loss In your lives!! He was so good hearted to everyone!! He truly would have given the shirt off of his back to any one in need!! He touched o many lives ... I haven’t enough words for how special and precious of a friend he truly was to so many!!! Including me!!! Go rest high on that mountain dear friend!! Until we meet again I love you always!!!
Tara and Laci. My Prayers and Love are with you as you mourn the loss of your amazing dad. I loved him. I always got a big hug and kind words every time he came to Sam's.I will miss him. He was a amazing and kind man.Love until we see you again Terry.
RIP ole friend! You'll be dearly missed!
You are all in my prayers and thoughts. Terry was awesome I will truly miss him. He was one of a kind. May God bless you and all the family.
Love and prayers to a beautiful family!
Terry will be missed. He was such an awesome guy. I don’t know anyone that ever had a bad word to say about him. He was the dad that was always fun, cool, and loved by everyone. He always had a joke or had to pick on you somehow. My prayers are with the family and friends. He was one of a kind.
It was so sad and broken hearted to hear of Terrie's passing. I new him threw work. He always had a smile and a laugh also. Loved talking about his grandkids I will be praying for the family that God will give y'all strength to get thru this time
Tara, Laci,Jackie,Lary and Aunt Edna, my heart is broken, Terry was an amazing man and the best cousin I could ask for. I will keep you in my prayers. I love each and everyone of you. We will meet him again in a mansion and walking on streets of gold, till then.
So sorry for your great loss. Lucky touched a lot of lives if he could only see how many. Prayers for all the family and friends.
My prayers to the family..
I would like to extend my condolences to all of the family. Terry was a wonderful person and I know he will be missed greatly. One day at a time. Love to the family.
Sweet Terry Joe. Closest I ever got to George Strait. I hope you know how much you were loved. There was never a day you didn’t brighten with your smile or humor. You will be deeply missed.