Edward H. Lawrence Jr.

December 18, 1943 – October 22, 2026

Edward H. Lawrence, Jr. passed away on October 22, 2026 at his home. Mr. Lawrence was a resident of Bogalusa, LA and was a member of Poplarville First Baptist Church. He was born on December 18, 1943.

He is survived by his wife, Trudy Blackmon Lawrence, his daughters Edy (Daniel) McCurdy of Poplarville, MS and Lauren (Darren) Ezell of Hammond, LA and one son Russell Lawrence of Picayune, MS; two stepsons, Parish (Tammy) Robbins of Bogalusa and Michael Shae Robbins of Bogalusa; a sister Beverly (Carl) Merritt of Orange Beach, AL; 7 grandchildren, Aaron McCurdy, Brandon McCurdy, Carli McCurdy, Camden McCurdy, Drew Ezell, Peyton Robbins and Reagan Robbins; four nephews Billy (Nance) Stokes, Brad Stokes, Brent Stokes, and Ryan (Kayla) Merritt; two nieces Meghan (Daylon) Self and Beth (Tom) Stogner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Faye Lawrence; his sister Brenda Stokes; brothers-in-law Bill Stokes and Roger Blackmon.

Mr. Lawrence graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1961. He worked several jobs to help pay for college. He worked in construction, sales clerk for J.C. Penny’s, assistant director of the Bogalusa Y.M.C.A. and when he moved to Hammond to finish his college degree, he was a security guard for local businesses. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Education. His first teaching job was at Ponchatoula High School where he taught General Science and Biology. The following year he taught Biology at Covington High School for one year and left the teaching profession to enlist in the U.S. Army. He honorably served his country during the Vietnam war era.

After leaving the Army, he returned to Bogalusa to work in the family business, Lawrence Motor Supply. Shortly thereafter he returned to teaching when he was hired by the Bogalusa School system. He taught General Science, Sociology, American History, Special Education, Free Enterprise, and Adult Education. In his off time, he used the G.I. Bill to complete his Masters degree plus 30 hours. In 1989 he was voted by his peers to be the teacher of the year. He was appointed assistant principle in charge of discipline at Bogalusa High School in 1990. In 1994 he was elected by the school board to be the supervisor of Transportation and Maintenance. He served in that position for seven years until his retirement in 2001.

Mr. Lawrence loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and scuba diving. He enjoyed many days at his camp at Walkiah Bluff. He loved gathering there with family and friends to enjoy good outdoor cooking. His favorite place to scuba dive was off the coast of Florida and the Bahama Islands. At times he used his diving skill to help find loved ones that had drown.

He and his wife Trudy enjoyed traveling. They toured to places like the Grand Canyon, the Sequoia Forest, and Mexico. They enjoyed trailer camping at various state parks. They spent many great moments in the Smoky Mountains with family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, from 10:00a.m. until the service time of 2:00p.m. The Rev. Kipp Smith will officiate the service and interment will be held in Ponemah Cemetery with the American Legion Post #24 providing military honors.