George Elliott Lawrence, Sr
October 26, 1945 - August 8, 2015

George Elliott Lawrence, Sr. of Barefoot Bay, FL (formerly of St. Mary's County, MD), passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday August 8th. His loving wife of nearly 24 years was at his side. Everyone knew him as Elliott as well as many other colorful nicknames. He was a loving husband, father, brother, Pop Pop and friend. He was a fun loving person, who always brought a laugh out of all that knew him.

Elliott was born to the late Frank and Mary (Bailey) Lawrence on October 26, 1945 in Leonardtown, MD. His parents raised Elliott as well as his 5 brothers and sisters in Colton's Point Maryland. They all worked in their father's general store in Colton's Point for many years. Elliott graduated from Margaret Brent High School 1964. He served his country proudly during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army being stationed in Korea on the 38th Parallel for 2 years.

He married Debbie Lawrence in 1991; they lived together in Bushwood, MD before relocating to Barefoot Bay, FL after they both retired in 2012 leaving the snowy north east winter seasons behind.

Elliott was very involved in the St. Mary's County Community until moving to Florida. He coached many youth baseball teams was involved in cub scouts for many years, and spent long days at the motocross track in Aquasco, MD.

For many years Elliott was an active charter member of the Mechanicsville Optimist Club. He spend countless hours raising money for the community's youth through numerous fundraisers including The Blessing of the Fleet, Crab Festival, Oyster Festival just to name a few sitting as a chairperson for many of them. He was a long time chairperson for the club's annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser. This was a month long event that would begin with months of planning and organizing prior to the event. He never missed a trip with his fellow Optimist to Western MD every year to pick up, load and deliver the trees back to the sales lots. The trips were always short but filled with MANY great times and good friends!
As well as being a Life Member of Optimist International, Elliott served 2 terms as President of the Mechanicsville Optimist Club and served several terms as Vice President, Secretary, and a Board of Director member. He also served a term as Lt. Governor of Zone 13 of the Maryland South Delaware Region visiting many clubs. They enjoyed spending time at all of the Optimist Conventions getting fresh ideas and ways to help their community. The couple was also faithful members of the Loyal Order of the Moose at the Mechanicsville Lodge #495 as well as Sabastian Florida.

When Elliott retired in 2012 he had served a total of 43 years of loyal service for Pepco / Mirant's Chalk Point & Morgantown Generating Plants as an employee and a contractor. He also worked as a delivery driver for many years for Tri-County Aire & Lietch Heating & A/C. He had also returned to his family owned general store roots spending many years at Chaptico Market making their FAMOUS Fried Chicken and Southern Maryland Stuffed Hams. He would help to make as many as 200 stuffed hams for the holiday season with the staff that he enjoyed working with daily.

Elliott was an avid baseball and softball player most of his life in St. Mary's County and is a member of the Rocking Chair Hall of Fame. Elliott also loved boating, fishing and crabbing. He and Debbie owned several boats and spent many summers enjoying marina life with friends at Koppel's / Colton's Point Marina. They spent many days in the Potomac and surrounding waterways enjoying what the beauty of Southern Maryland life had to offer. He enjoyed visiting and dining friends at local Southern Maryland restaurants. This continued after they moved to Florida taking in all the amazing sights, sounds and making new friends at all the local restaurants and outdoor tiki bars. No matter what he could never shake the desire or taste for 2 Southern Maryland staples, steamed crabs and Seagram's VO Bourbon. They would have friends bring in local Maryland Crabs when they visited Florida and he could be seen regularly with his personal cooler filled with adult beverages!

Elliott and Debbie traveled throughout their relationship enjoying time with many friends / family at Lake Gaston, NC, various camp grounds, cruises, many islands and many states. No matter where they went they would leave knowing twice as many people then before they got there. Elliott loved meeting new people and gaining new friends. No one could ever resist his laughter, jokes and gleaming smile!

Elliott was preceded in death by his Father (Frank), Mother (Mary), Sister (Barbara Ann), Brother (Jimmy), Sister-in Law (Mary Loretta) and Mother-in Law (Cloyce A. Arrowood).

Besides his beloved wife and best friend Debbie, Elliott is survived by his children G. Elliott Lawrence, Jr. (Brandy), Wayne S. Lawrence (Leslie), Barbara A. McCloskey (Matthew) and Michael C. Brown (Sheri) all of St. Mary's County, Maryland.
Elliott is also survived by his brothers William (Marcie) Lawrence, Emory (Barbara) Lawrence his sister Rose White, his eleven grandchildren Gabrielle, Brett, Cameron, Kaitlin, Austin, Evan, Ryan, Scott, Riley, Wyatt, Mason and many other loved nieces and nephews.

The family will be planning a Celebration of Life and will be receiving friends at The Mechanicsville Moose Lodge on a future date to be determined. An Optimist Prayer will be provided by the Mechanicsville Optimist Clubs and surrounding Optimist Clubs. Friends and family are encouraged to bring a dessert for everyone's enjoyment.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the family for the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge and to help defer cost of the wonderful food that will be provided.