Leila Frankland Lawrence passed away peacefully in her family’s presence on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Leila was born in Jackson, Tennessee on June 10, 1929, to the late General Robert Ernest Frankland Sr. and Leila Harris Frankland. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Samuel M. Lawrence Jr., her son, Charles Harris Lawrence, her sister Margaret Hudson and brother Robert Ernest Frankland Jr.
Leila attended Jackson High School and graduated in 1947. She furthered her education at Wesleyan Conservatory where she was captain of the swim team and Lambuth College. She lived her entire life in Jackson and was very devoted to her family and friends. She served twelve years as a den Mother for her four sons in the Boy Scout program, had swim days for her grandchildren in the summer and always put the needs of her family ahead of her own. She loved the Lord, enjoyed Bible study and blessed many in her life. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and served in various capacities including faithfully baking communion bread for the Lord’s Supper at her church.
She was a very creative person who enjoyed numerous sports and hobbies. She loved to swim, golf, sew, knit, entertain, build miniature doll houses and to decorate, but most of all she loved to cook. To those who knew her, she was the ultimate Southern hostess, full of grace and charm who was known for her “Christmas Brunch” that she elegantly presented. She faithfully served lunch to her husband and 4 boys for many years on Mondays and Thursdays. The handwritten recipes of her Grandmother Leila Ingram Johnston were collected and published by Leila, her sister Margaret and Katherine Bond Dancy in 1975 entitled “Leila’s Legacy, Recipes from the Days of Gracious Living” as a dedication to her Mother.
Leila was married to the late Sam Lawrence Jr for 54 years. They had four sons, Samuel Matthews (Bo) Lawrence III and his wife Amy, Frank Frankland Lawrence and his wife Darleen, the late Charles Harris Lawrence and his wife Doris, and Ernest Tomlinson Lawrence and his wife Ann. Grandchildren include Elyzabeth Pflasterer (Ryan) , Anna Wilson (Taylor), Benjamin Lawrence (Rachel), Samuel Lawrence (Katie), Robert Lawrence (Anna), Daniel Lawrence (fiancée Jess), Mark Lawrence (Bekah), Leila Rookstool (Kyle) and Meg Merrick (Will). Leila leaves behind nineteen great-grandchildren as well.
Visitation will be Friday, January 26 from 10 am – 12 pm at First United Methodist Church in Jackson. A graveside service will be held at 1:00PM at Ridgecrest Cemetery officiated by Rev. Sky McCracken. Benjamin Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, Robert Lawrence, Daniel Lawrence, Mark Lawrence, Ryan Pflasterer, Kyle Rookstool, Will Merrick, Dylan Todd and Riley Todd will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, please donate to First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Church Street, Jackson, TN 38301, www.jacksonfumc.org.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 www.arringtonfuneraldirectors.com
