Cullen Dillard Lawrence Obituary (January 23, 1930-July 7, 2024)
Cullen Dillard Lawrence of Galax, Virginia, passed peacefully from this earth into the hands of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 7, 2024, with the same dignity that he demonstrated throughout his 94 years of life. Born January 23, 1930, in Wytheville, Virginia, to Amanda Melvinnie Taylor Lawrence and Lemuel H. Lawrence, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ellen Orlean Hawks Lawrence, and an infant son, Charles Grant Lawrence, as well as siblings Mildred Campbell, Anna Byrd, Clifton Lawrence, Linwood “Doodle” Lawrence, and Margaret Winesett.
His journey is a story of how work ethic and perseverance created an amazing life filled with incredible friendships and service to others. This work ethic began at an early age. When he was five-years-old, he was given the task of helping his older brother deliver newspapers. When his brother had to give up the job a year later, Cullen took on this responsibility by himself. When World War II arrived and our country was in peril, he began working across the street from his beloved childhood home for Higgins Oil Company, organizing and posting the ration stamps that were required during the war effort. As a teenager, he pumped gas for the company to help earn money for his family. An excellent student, after graduating from Galax High School, he borrowed money from the owner of the company, McCamant Higgins, so that he could continue his education at National Business College. When his last semester of college arrived and his goal of a college diploma was almost within reach, he was called to serve his country when he was drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served with honor and dignity. Upon completing his service, he went back to school and earned his degree. With the realization that it was due to the kindness of others that helped him achieve his goal, he not only repaid the sum of the loan he had received, but he showed his loyalty by working for the company for over 30 years. He never forgot this act of kindness. It was during this time that he began doing accounting work for Fielder Electric Company, “Gooch” Harmon, and various businesses and individuals when his work at Higgins was done each day. When his time with the company was over, he continued working with Persinger & Associates with whom he built further work relationships and friendships. He worked with this company for several years until his retirement. This incredible work ethic not only built a life for himself, but it also allowed him to enable the dreams of his sons and to help others. He constantly gave to charitable causes and always did whatever he could to aid those when asked.
As a young boy, he performed the lead role in his school’s production of Jack & the Beanstalk, and he developed a love for entertainment that he carried with him to the end of his days. His passion for the old movies from his childhood never abated, and he was a wealth of knowledge about the actors, actresses, directors, and studios of this era of film. This love of entertainment never waned, and the wit and humor of the films of this era were traits that he made his own. He was always able to bring a smile to others with his comments and jokes, and it was something in which he took great pride.
His dedication, service, and loyalty were traits that were also shown as he was a longtime member of several organizations including the Galax Moose Lodge, United Commercial Travelers, and his local American Legion chapter. He was also a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for over sixty years. While he had great love for his work and civic organizations, his greatest passion in life was his wife, Ellen, and together, they built a family that was larger than just the members in their home. Their door was always open to the numerous friends and acquaintances of their children. He is survived by his sons, Mark Stephen Lawrence and wife, Cynthia, David Cullen Lawrence, and wife, Cindy, and son, Timothy Scott Lawrence, and wife, Stephanie; and five grandchildren, Patrick Lawrence, Nicholas Lawrence, Hayley “Lucky” Lawrence, Logan Lawrence, and Theodore Lawrence, and several nieces and nephews as well as countless friends and colleagues.
Cullen’s legacy can be carried on by trying to bring a smile to others each day.
The family would like to offer its deepest gratitude for the care provided by the staffs at the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Davis-McDaniel Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem who cared for our dad over the past several years. Special thanks also to Frances Ayers, Ann Davis, David and Penny Allen, and the Hawks family for their kindness and care as well as to the congregation at Hillcrest Baptist Church for their constant love and support. Special thanks and gratitude are also extended to his cherished friends, Mary Helen Blair and her husband, the late Bill Blair. His “Billy” remained his dear friend from childhood to the end of their days.
A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, July 13th at 12 noon at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax with interment to follow in the Crooked Creek Community Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by the Grayson VFW Post 7726. Visitation for friends and family will take place from 10 A.M. to noon preceding the service. A celebration reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of Hillcrest Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his honor to the Hillcrest Baptist Church Building Fund or the Carilion Foundation Cancer Center.
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