John Russ Lawrence

John Russ “Johnny” Lawrence, age 53 of Sydnorsville, Virginia, died Friday, April 20, 2012. He was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia a son of the late George and Marguerite (Russ) Lawrence. In 1982 he married his best friend Dawn McGhee at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Sydnorsville. Johnny was employed by Rocky Top Building Products in Rocky Mount as the special projects manager. Johnny was an active member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Sydnorsville, where he served on the Board of Trustees and the new parsonage committee. He was Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 130 in Wirtz, Virginia. Johnny loved to work in his shop and on his home farm, Stonie Pine Farms, and to canoe down the river and camp. He particularly enjoyed the annual New River canoe camping trip he helped organize each August. He leaves his beloved wife Dawn; daughter, Whitney; son, Cole; sister, Carol McKinley and her husband David of Denver; brothers, George Lawrence of Sydnorsville, Frank Lawrence and his wife Allison of Denver; several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 2 p.m. Tuesday with Rev. Chris Bennett officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Johnny’s name can be made to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) or to Bethlehem United Methodist Church. His family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.