Gustava Lawrence

Gustava "Toots" Lawrence, 92, of Jackson, formerly of Tamms, Illinois, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Gustava was born Nov. 29, 1928, in Delta, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Dora Cox McCrite. She married Edward Lawrence on Nov. 30, 1945, and he preceded her in death June 2, 1989, after 43 years of marriage.

Toots was a homemaker and later worked for Egyptian School. She was a member of Tamms Baptist Church. She enjoyed attending Bible study, playing bingo and doing arts and crafts, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Toots was known for her love of all holidays and enjoyed wearing festive hats and costumes, which brought joy to many other residents at Chateau.

Survivors include her six children, George (Jill) Lawrence of Freeburg, Illinois, Linda Sue Lawrence of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Marlena (Larry) Parrott of Yuma, Arizona, Brenda (Dave) Swanson of Charleston, South Carolina, Frances (Chuck) Peart of Wentzville, Missouri and Frank (Kim) Lawrence of Jackson; her nine grandchildren, Amy Parrott, Anne (Adam) Mruz, Andy (Maria) Parrott, Patrick (Kari) Moreno, Mandy (Rod) Cockrell, Chris (Abbie) Peart, Rachael Peart (Luke Gast), Emily Lawrence (Trey Sutton) and Zach Lawrence; her 11 great-grandchildren, Lauren and Caroline Mruz, Sam and Jillian Parrott, Eli, Will and Myla Cockrell, Simon, Jonah and Aurora Moreno and Mabree Sutton; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Farrell McCrite and Hall McCrite; and three sisters, Mary Elizabeth McCrite, Winifred Fravle and Rosetta Verble.

Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday and again from 9 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will follow in McCrite Cemetery in Tamms.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to McCrite Cemetery. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the memorial guest register online, please visit www.crainsonline.com.