Gaylon Lawrence

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Gaylon M. Lawrence, 78, of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Sikeston, died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

He was born March 15, 1934, in Pollard, Ark., to David Monroe and Rita Dees Lawrence.

Lawrence was a landowner and farmer, with ownership in various other businesses. He was a graduate of Piggott, Ark., High School, and in 1955 graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a degree in agriculture/economics.

He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1960, serving as a first lieutenant.

Survivors include Mary Elizabeth Woods of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, David Monroe Lawrence of Kennett, Mo., Gaylon and Lisa Lawrence Jr. of Memphis; a sister and brother-in-law, Martina and Robert Davis of Pollard; four grandchildren, Drew Lawrence of Wilson, Ark., Westin Lawrence, a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Mollie Claire Lawrence of Memphis, Pia Lawrence, a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas; and a niece, Patricia Davis of Jonesboro, Ark.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, with the Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery in Pollard.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Gaylon M. Lawrence Scholarship Fund for Piggott High School, c/o Piggott State Bank, attention Paula, P.O. Box 307, Piggott, AR 72454.