Mr. Joe Melvin Lawrence, age 91 of Morgan City, AL passed away at home on Monday Oct. 5, 2026.
He was born and raised in the community of Morgan City, AL. Morgan City was his home except for a short time while working in Michigan and while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Louisiana.
He met and married Dollie Wilson Lawrence in 1961. They were blessed with 65 years together. He loved his daughter, Diane, and his son, Carl with all his heart. Then he truly fell in love with his grandkids: Blake, Jessie, Joey and Jake. His health was declining but he got to meet his 6 great grand kids and was always happy to see them.
He worked for NASA for over 30 years. His career started during the infancy of The Marshall Space Flight Center. His work supported testing and deployment of the Saturn Rockets, the Apollo Program, the Lunar Roving Vehicle, the Space Shuttle Program, Skylab and the International Space Station. He supported programs going into space as well as on the ground as NASA built its infrastructure on Redstone Arsenal. He received many awards over the years for his support and dedication to the success of the programs he supported, including NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award.
Even though his work life was demanding, he managed to farm, raise cattle, bail hay, fish, quail hunt, camp and excel as a fast pitch softball player. He enjoyed each of these as they normally involved spending time with friends and family.
He is survived by his wife, Dollie Lawrence; his daughter, Diane Guffey; his son, Carl Lawrence(Heatherly); grandchildren, Blake Guffey, Jessie Lawrence (Doug), Joey Lawrence (Alyssa), Jake Lawrence (Jacie), Logan Stines (Haley), Emily Simpson (Isaac); 6 great grandchildren; and his brother, JC Lawrence.
He will join those gone on before him. Parents: Edward and Onie Lawrence; Sisters: Kathryn (Kenneth) Whisenant, Francine (Paul) Edwards; Brothers: James Lawrence, James Harold Griffin; Son-in-law: Greg Guffey.
Services will be Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Brindlee Mountain Chapel in Morgan City. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00pm. Brother Gary Thompson will officiate. Burial will take place in Rescue Cemetery. Pallbearers are Blake Guffey, Joey Lawrence, Jake Lawrence, Steve Lawrence, David Lawrence, Joel Wilson.
Special thanks to his caregivers: Erin Atchley, Shepherd’s Cove Hospice: Shannon, Kim and Penny and Enhabit Home Health: Gabby. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel assisting with arrangements.
