Obituary: Evelyn Bacon Lawrence was born January 28, 1931 to Samuel H. Bacon, Jr. and Venia Carson Bacon in Cleveland, TN. She was the fifth child of their family of six daughters. She is preceded in death by her parents, and four of her sisters: Lois Bacon, Helen Ferguson, Mary Ruth Jones and Lucille Scott. In 1949 Evelyn graduated from College Hill High School. She entered Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN where she excelled as an English major, with a minor in drama. Her most beloved school affiliation was her initiation into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, having served as Dean of Pledges. Evelyn graduated from Tennessee State University in 1953 and began a long teaching career (over 40 years), which included four states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and California. Evelyn was blessed with academic talent and won several scholarships to attend university graduate programs in Georgia, Ohio and California which led to moving to California in 1968. She was also a talented writer, a good cook and a talented seamstress. She grew up in the Church of God in a musical family, she sang and played the piano. Her first recital was when she was only five years old. Many years later she played the piano for the Senior's Choir at the Church of God near her home in California.

Evelyn married Frank Edward Lawrence in November 1955. To this union three children were born: Karen Gail, Tammy LaNese and Frank Edward Lawrence, Jr. (Eddie). Evelyn's greatest joy for about the last thirty years has been her eight grandchildren: Adonis Lamar Goosby, Daniel Issac Goosby, Brendon DeLeón Lawrence, Krystina Joy Goosby, Jessica Brichelle Lawrence, Christopher Ashmond Lawrence, Crystal Sharese Lawrence and Christin Nicole Lawrence. Evelyn suffered a stroke in February 2008, which resulted in mental deterioration. She was then relocated to San Antonio, TX to be closer to her family. It was there her journey in this life ended. Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Karen and Tammy; son, Frank Edward (LaKeisha Denise); grandchildren; sister, Henrietta Prigmore (William); niece, Sherry Montgomery (Stephen); nephew, Neil Prigmore (Kim); and a host of relatives and friends.

Body may be viewed Friday, September 30, from 12:00noon til 1:00.p.m. servce time at the Church of God Saintified, 746 1st St N.E., Cleveland TN. Rev Guilford Hill Pastor Officiating, Min. Frank E. Lawrence, Jr. Interment to follow at Fort HILL Cemetery.