Emily R. Strawser Lawrence

Emily Ruth Strawser/Lawrence, 95, fondly known as “Peg or Peggy” passed away September 17, 2023. She was born April 21, 1928, in Akron, Ohio to the late John Milton Potter and Hazel (Dent) Potter and had an older sister, Rosemary… and wow what a life she lived in-between! Emily came to Sarasota in 2013 from Marion, Ohio and was a member of Covenant Life Church in Sarasota. She was very active in card making, prayer groups at the church and prayed for and gave generously to overseas missions, ministries and individuals for Christian causes! She loved making meals for friends and family, serving others, reading, puzzles, exercising and her grand dogs/cats! Peg grew up in Akron, was outgoing, social and active in her grade school years. Following Peg attended Akron University, majoring in Home Economics which she would apply and use in multiple areas and a variety of aspects of her life especially hospitality! One specialized element was cake decorating, which Peg did both professionally and for family/friends and would number in the thousands over her lifetime! She could literally ‘paint’ w/icing on a cake almost what an artist could do on a canvas and was even featured in the Charlotte Observer food section. The beauty and intricacy of her cakes were renowned and brought much joy and happiness to many! After graduation her first job was in Marion, Ohio for the utility company, in their retail appliance store teaching customers how to use their equipment to cook. Soon she went on a blind date w/Ronnie, who was attending Ohio State University and recently returned from service in the Army and duty in the Korean War. They dated a short time, before engagement and wanted to be married soon thereafter waited a year, marrying in Ronnie’s sophomore year. If that was not challenging enough, Stephanie was born in his junior year and John his senior year. After Ronnie’s graduation, they moved to Ft Wayne, IN, Ronnie worked in a department store. Randy was born in ’62 during their time there. In ’63 the family moved to Charlotte, NC after buying a Burger Chef fast-food restaurant, eventually as well had ownership in other businesses plus were heavily involved in local community and at Purcell United Methodist church. In her 40’s Peg came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which impacted her greatly and influenced her life, family and those she knew going forward! The kids gave them a surprise 25th wedding anniversary. Ronnie passed away in ’81 suddenly of a heart attack. Peg fit the model of I Timothy 5:1-10, as she ministered to those in need, she extended grace and giving to the poor, she opened her house to those needing a place to stay, etc. Her house had "swing doors" to those the Lord would send her way. Following the death of her husband in 1981, she had our pastor in Charlotte, NC where we lived at the time to come and pray over our house and asked the Lord to use it for His Glory and send whoever He wanted for her to serve. Her whole heart was to love, obey and serve the Lord as best she could; not perfectly as none of us are but to the best of her ability and by His strength. Peg eventually moved back to the Ohio area to be a caregiver for her mother and Ronnie’s parents, prior to their respective passing. After which Peg met her second husband, John Lawrence, they married in ’96 and had 13 wonderful years together, celebrating each month their anniversary and traveling much, as well very involved in Cornerstone Alliance church. Peg also made 3 different trips to Asia to visit John, her son’s family on the foreign mission field, twice to Indonesia, the 2nd trip by herself and once to the Philippines, which impacted her understanding and involvement in global ministry to a much greater level! John Lawrence passed suddenly of a heart attack in ’10. In ’13 Peg moved to Florida and lived near Stephanie & Kent, they spent increasingly more time together including trips and who became main caregiver in her latter years of life. Tep, John & Randy are so very thankful for the mom God gave them for 60+ years and will miss her greatly but wouldn’t wish her back as she is now in Heaven w/Jesus, free from pain and suffering and the frustrations of living in the realities of our society and world!” Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Stephanie Dash and her husband Kent; sons John Strawser and his wife Rhonda; and Randy Strawser and his wife Dianne; stepchildren Dolly Ghearing and her husband Gilbert; Jack. Lawrence; Becky Miller and her husband Ron; George Lawrence and his wife Vickie; Polly Kiebler; and Missy Alexander and her husband Bruce; grandchildren Daniel and Jessica; Michael; CJ and his fiancé Anna; Mitchel; Elisha and Jadon. Peg was preceded in death by her husbands, Ronald Strawser (first) and John Lawrence (second). There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 18th from 2:30-4:00 pm, with visitation beginning at 1:30 before and burial after the service at the Forest Lawn West Cemetery Chapel, 4601 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, North Carolina. Memorial contributions may be made in Emily’s honor to Wycliffe Bible Translators at www.wycliffe.org/partner/E3A325 , which designates the gift to the ministry of John & Rhonda Strawser or Liberty Christian Academy at www.lcasarasota.com/support/. Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at www.MFHcares.com.

Emily R. Strawser Lawrence

April 21, 1928 - September 17, 2023