Dovie Hughes “Shirley” Lawrence, of Martinsville, Virginia, passed away on March 25, 2023. She was born on November 15, 1934, in Patrick County, Virginia, to the late John Crafford Hughes and Dovie Morrison Hughes.
She was married to the late Billy B. Lawrence for 64 years. Also preceding her in death are sisters, Nellie Joyce, Edna Carter, Lillian Plasters, and Jean Wood as well as brothers, Winfred, Leonard, Clarence, Henry, Dillard, and Raymond Hughes.
Dovie worked for 11 years at E. I. DuPont. When she and Billy decided to start a family, she became a full-time stay-at-home mom until her children were teenagers. At that point, she worked for 10 years in the office of Lawrence Distributing Company, the family business founded and operated by her husband Billy. When grandchildren came into the picture, she retired from office work to spend more time with her grandchildren. She was a loving, selfless, and caring wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Dovie was a member of Granbery United Methodist Church.
Dovie is survived by her daughters, Linda Lawrence Dalton (Barry) and Sandra Lawrence Funderburk (Tim); her grandchildren, Will Dalton, Jordan Funderburk, Jake Funderburk, Jared Funderburk, and Amanda Dalton. She is also survived by a very special nurturing niece, Carolyn Carter as well as many other beloved nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Dovie Lawrence will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville Chapel. A funeral service officiated by Pastor Tom Blair will take place immediately after the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Norris Funeral Services. At the conclusion of the funeral service, interment will be at Roselawn Burial Park. Those wishing to pay tribute in memory of Dovie are encouraged to make donations to Granbery United Methodist Church, 200 Granbery Road, Martinsville, VA 24112.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory is serving the Lawrence family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
