Mildred Louise Lawrence

Mildred Louise Lawrence, 93, of Springdale, passed from this life on Monday, April 23, 2012. She was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Gowen, Okla., to William and Dora (Smith) Walker. She graduated from Hartshorne, Okla., High School in 1936 and received an associate's degree from Eastern Oklahoma A&M in 1938. She married Robert L. Lawrence in 1939 in Wilburton, Okla. She was a stay-at-home mother of three until 1947 when a 25-year teaching career began at Pleasant Hill Grade School near Wilburton. She received her bachelor's degree in 1949 after two summers at Southeastern Oklahoma State College. She went on to teach home economics, business math, shorthand and typing at Panola Oklahoma High School. In 1955, the family moved to McAlester, Okla., where she taught typing at McAlester High School until her retirement in 1972. In 1973, her beloved husband preceded her in death. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pryor, Okla. Her hobbies included sewing, painting, crocheting, and knitting and she was prolific with all. She was also preceded in death by her parents; all her siblings, two sisters, Evelyn Darby and Georgia Rush, and one brother, William Walker; and very recently, by her son Tom's wife, Burma. Survivors include her daughter, Bobbye Kelly and her husband, George, of Springdale, Ark.; son, Jim Lawrence and his wife, Connie, of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; son, Tom Lawrence of Tulsa, Okla.; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale. Visitation will precede the service, starting at 1 p.m. Interment will be held 2 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, at Oak Hill Cemetery in McAlester, Okla. Arrangements under the care and direction of Westfield Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.westfieldchapel.com.