Minnie Marie Crowder was born on November 12, 1926 in Franklin, Tennessee to the late Odelia and Amelia Crowder.
In 1946 she was joined in holy matrimony to her love, Ollie Lawrence. In 1950 Minnie and Ollie moved their family to Chicago. In 1954, Minnie settled with her family in Connecticut, where, Minnie owned two restaurants with her husband, and later worked in the food service department at the Jewish Home for the Aged, until her retirement in 1993. She was a faithful member of Beulah Heights Church for many years until the time of her death. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ollie Lawrence Sr., children, Calvin Lawrence, Ollie (Françoise) Lawrence Jr., Janet Lawrence Brown all of New Haven, and Eric (Joanne) Lawrence of Boston, MA, sisters Josephine Crowder Lee of Nashville, TN and Mary Ann Scales of Franklin, TN, ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Nancy Lawrence Johnson of Austin, TX, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Minnie is predeceased by her daughter Jacqueline Lawrence Kilgo, and siblings Louise Crowder Edmondson, James Crowder, John Henry Crowder, Wesley Crowder. The Funeral Service will be held Thursday, Sept. 6 at Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church, 782 Orchard St. New Haven, CT at 7pm with calling hours at the church from 5 – 7pm. The Interment will take place, Friday, Sept. 7, gathering 10am at Beulah Heights Church for processional to Beaverdale Memorial Park , New Haven, CT. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort to the Lawrence family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com.
