NORFOLK - Clarence C. Lawrence, 86, of Ocean View area of Norfolk, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. Known affectionately as "Tramp" by his friends and "CC" by his coworkers, He was born September 29, 1927 in the Atlantic City area of Norfolk, VA to the late Alfred Edwin and Annie [Barrett] Lawrence. He was also predeceased by brothers; Johnny, George, Robert, and Alfred and sisters; Ruth, Dorothy (Dottie Mae), and Mary Kathleen. Clarence served in the U. S. Navy during WWII and was for a time afterwards as a merchant marine. He returned to school for a time and graduated from Maury High School. He went to work for Crofton Diving as a hardhat diver where he worked for 57 years; 25 years as a diver and 32 years as a supervisor and mentor for many young and inexperienced new divers that went to work for Crofton. As a loyal employee for Crofton he was well respected, and when his health deteriorated the Crofton's stood by him through it all. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for everything they did during his illness. He was an avid NASCAR fan and a die-hard Redskin fan when it came to football. He is survived by his loving wife, Mattie Allred Carr Lawrence [Dad affectionately called her "BLONDIE"]; daughter, Judy Wilson (Dallas) of Virginia Beach; two son, Roger Carr (Lynn) of Boone, NC, and Clarence Curtis Lawrence, Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA; and daughter, Carolyn McClure (G. Richard) of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Candy Bond (Chris), of Norfolk, VA, Wendy Barrett of Norfolk, VA, Travis Carr of Boone, NC, Angela Fischer (Gary) of Indianapolis, IN, and Mindy Miller of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by brother-in-laws, Doyce Allred, of Whitesboro, TX, and Dewey Parten of Fort Worth, TX; and several great and great-great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Lakeisha Cheatum for the care she gave to Clarence. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, with Rev. Ernest L. Trueblood officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St, Norfolk, VA. A reception celebrating his life will follow at Crofton Diving Corporation located at 16 Harper Road, Portsmouth, VA. 23707. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Salvation Army 5525 Raby Road, Norfolk, VA. or The Wounded Warriors Project, 1102 G Street, N.W, Suite 700, Washington, DC.
Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, 1501 Colonial Ave, Norfolk, VA.