Kay Laake Lawrence

Kay Laake Lawrence, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on October 29, 2023. Kay was born in Hondo, Texas on March 30, 1934, the only child of the late Leo Frank Laake and the late Olga Marie Mitchell Laake.  

Although a small-town girl from Hondo, Texas, Kay later travelled the world. She loved meeting people and brought out the best in everyone.  In Tampa, she raised her family of four children while working as a paralegal at a prominent law firm. She was also a local model and artist. 

But her greatest passion was her devotion to her family. She loved her children and grandchildren beyond measure and valued a close connected family. Kay transformed every birthday and holiday celebration and family reunion into lasting memories. She made everything special. Kay later developed a love of photography to capture endless special moments with her grandchildren and compiled a beautiful photo book for each of them as a keepsake.

Kay radiated beauty and creativity in every area of her life. Her grace and style, her lovely home, her lush green and flowering yard; she loved her limelights.

She enjoyed a fun, vibrant, healthy, active life and she cherished her friends over the years, especially her Rummikub and Bridge groups. Her kindness and fun spirit will be missed. 

Kay will always be remembered for her joy, kindness and remarkable beauty inside and out, her model of unconditional love, and her unwavering faith in the Lord.  Her faith anchored her, through good times and through life’s challenges.  Kay believed in the power of prayer, she fought the good fight of faith and she finished the race with grace and endurance. Kay carried her cross well. 

Kay is survived by her children, John Smitherman, Mary Kay Neyland (husband Reese), Diana Cornett (husband Tom), Julie Keating (husband Don), eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held  in St. Benedict Catholic Church, and Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens.