Charlene Lawrence of Newark, New Jersey ascended to be with her Lord and savior on March 21^st, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones.

Charlene was born on January 6^th,1951 in Hartsville, South Carolina to the late Edna Mae Gregg but raised by her late grandmother Edna Gregg. She was educated in the Hartsville School System attending Washington Street Elementary School and Butler High School. While attending Butler High School, she was a member of the choir and office staff. Charlene was always deemed reliable and well-structured at an early age that she was voted “Most Dependable” for her Senior Class.

After graduation, Charlene relocated to Washington, D.C. staying with her aunt. Then on to New York to join her mother and cousins. She later made her journey to her “home state” New Jersey where she met and married Anthony Lawrence. From this marriage union came the blessing of two beautiful daughters Yvette & Hope Lawrence. Charlene was a dedicated employee of PKF-O’Connor Davies for 50 years where she met and made wonderful friends. One friend in particular was (Chris Peterman) whom she lovingly called her “son”.

Charlene accepted God in her life at an early age and was a faithful member of Centenary United Methodist Church. She would attend services there every time she visited her hometown in Hartsville.

Charlene enjoyed spending time with family & friends, reading, shopping with her best friend Jeanette Huggins-Sievers, and travelling with her fiancé Joseph all over the United States with his Masonic family. During her time travelling with the masonic family she made numerous friends but 3 very special friends: Aaron Burroughs & Perry Rice (whom she referred to as her “sons”), and Jeanne Wyche (her partner at all the conventions where the two of them were lovingly called “Thelma & Louise”).

Charlene is preceded in death by her grandmother Edna Gregg and her mother Edna Mae Gregg. Charlene leaves to cherish her memory: Daughters: Yvette & Hope Lawrence; Granddaughter: Mylina Lawrence Ortega; Her fiancé: Joseph Waters; Aunts: Elaine Montgomery & Hattie Mae Reed-Dargan; Special Cousins: Mamie Vernon & Charles Vernon; 2 Special Friends: Jeanette Huggins-Sievers, Jeanne Wyche; Her Ex-Husband: Anthony Lawrence, Her sister in laws: Deborah Jackson, and Cynthia Lawrence; Her Niece: Tanya Jackson, Her Nephews: Gervasee Dixon & Tyree Jackson and a whole host of cousins, extended family and friends whose lives she has touched throughout the years. 

Services will be held at Volk Leber Funeral home located at 789 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Family and Friends visitation services will be held on March 31, 2023, at 3pm. The Memorial service will begin at 5pm. The celebration of life directly after the service will be held at 49 Melrose Ave, East Orange, NJ 07018. Please join the family for light fare and refreshments. 

The family of Charlene wants to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts, prayers and condolences during this difficult time.