Roland Lawrence

Roland Ebenezer Lawrence was born to the late James Theophilus Lawrence and Alice Lawrence on March 14, 1930 in the District of Beeston Spring in the Parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica W.I. He was the baby of five children and was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings.

In the early 1960s he met and married Olga Mitchell, his first wife, and was devoted to her until her death in October 2005. In 1963 Roland migrated to the United States of America where he resided and worked in New Rochelle, N.Y. He later moved to Brooklyn, NY with his wife Olga and pursued a career at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center where he worked as an Orderly for several years. Due to his years of exemplary service, he was promoted to Orthopedic Technician on September 1, 1988. He was respected and loved by his co-workers, patients, nurses, doctors and whomever else he came into contact. He was also a real estate entrepreneur and all who knew him will agree that he is among all the great men and will be avidly remembered.

Roland was free-spirited, outgoing, loving, caring and giving but best of all, a God-fearing man who lived a wonderful Christian life. He surrendered his life to Christ about sixty years ago and made a commitment to serve Him all the days of his life. His tenacity, commitment and dedication to follow Christ was the most incredible part of his journey and wherever he went he exemplified serving and giving causing him to lead many to Christ. He was a chartered member of the Beulah Church of the Nazarene, Brooklyn, New York for about forty years. While at Beulah, he held many positions of service for the Lord. To name a few, he served on the Church Board, then as the Men’s League President for nineteen years for which he was recognized for his dedication, loyalty and momentous service. He sang in the Church’s Choir, the Men’s Choir and also the Men’s Quartet. Roland had a passion and love for music and played the bass guitar and piano.

After the death of his first wife, Olga Lawrence, he later met Pearl Henry and following a brief courtship they were united in Holy Matrimony on December 6, 2006. Since then, they have been devoted companions. Shortly thereafter their marriage, they transferred their church membership to a sister church, Bethel Church of the Nazarene in New York where they were both instrumental in advancing the growth of a new ministry.

Four years after their marriage they decided they had enough of the cold weather and relocated to Vero Beach, Florida where they lived for the past five years until February 20, 2016 at 11;52 pm when our beloved father, husband, uncle and friend received his call to glory.

He leaves to cherish his memory his dear beloved wife Pearl Lawrence, sons – Llewlyn, William, Sylvester, Winston and Auther. Daughters – Lera Mahon and Rose Lawrence. Daughters-in-law Inez, Minerva, Valerie and Norva. Twenty eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Sons-in-law Gordon and Richard. Three step-children and eight step grands including Cydirah Henry who was surrogate caretaker until his death, along with a host of other relatives and friends.