Margaret Ellen Callaham Lawrence

Margaret Ellen Callaham Lawrence, 78, a 50+ year resident of James Island, SC, and a recent resident of Philadelphia, TN, went home to be with the Lord, God and her Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 29, 2023.

She was born May 23, 1944 in Anderson, SC, the youngest child of James Claudas Callaham and Blanche Zeella McAlister Callaham.

A most Godly woman, her devotion permeated every fiber of her being and moment of her life. She was always active in church life, and loved cooking for Prayer Fellowship. 

Often described as “the nicest person you’d ever meet”, Margaret was always smiling and had an endless love for people, especially babies. 

When her boys were young, she provided child care in her Lighthouse Point home, becoming an additional mother figure to many children in the neighborhood. As her sons grew older, she went to work at Church’s Fried Chicken, eventually working her way up to be a Training Store Manager. After 17+ years at Church’s, she spent over 20 years as an award-winning bank teller for SC National>Wachovia>Wells Fargo banks.  

Margaret loved taking care of babies, socializing, talking on the phone, reading her Bible (preferably in a rocking chair), crocheting, knitting, quilting, and watching Little House on the Prairie. She will also be long remembered for her made from scratch English Pea Dumplings, buttermilk biscuits, Banana Pudding, and her diligent housekeeping.
 
Besides her immense love for her family, she wanted most to be known for her love and devotion to God and Jesus. 

No doubt, she was welcomed into Heaven with open arms by her most loving husband of 59 years, John Lander Lawrence, Sr., her parents, and her siblings: James Ralph Callaham; infant Bobbie Joe Callaham; Melvin Blake Callaham; and infant Ella Mae Callaham.

Margaret leaves her most loving and devoted sons: John Lander Lawrence, Jr. and wife, Madelyn Patricia Pickin Lawrence of St. Stephen, SC and James Edward Lawrence, Sr. and wife, LeAnn Patricia Brown Lawrence of Philadelphia, TN; adoring grandchildren: James E. Lawrence, II, Danielle M. Castleberry, Ashley N. Lawrence, and Chayn A. Lawrence, all of Summerville, SC, Courtney A. Lawrence and fiancé, George A. Tetanich of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and six very loved great grandchildren: Haley, Brintley, James III, Ryan, McKynlee and William. Also mourning are her niece/sister, Janie Callaham Reeves and husband, James Hank Reeves, Sr.; brother-in-law, C. Thomas Lawrence, Jr. and wife, Betty Jo Butler Morgan of Hollywood, SC; beloved nephews and nieces: James Ralph Callaham, Jr., Barry J. Callaham, Sharon C. Dove, Debra C. Blume, Tracy R. Smith all of Anderson, SC, Hank Reeves, Jr. of Mount Pleasant, SC, Sandra L. Rollings of Winnsboro, SC, Terri L. Zeigler of Ravenel, SC; and  half-brothers-in-law: Robert Thomas Lawrence and wife, Jean of Yuma, AZ, Bruce Kenneth Lawrence and wife, Kelly of Miami, FL, and Kenneth Lee Lawrence and wife, Brenda of Conway, SC.

Arrangements are entrusted to J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC, 29414.

The family will receive friends at Stuhr's West Ashley chapel from 11AM to Noon on Monday, April 3rd, with a funeral service from Noon to 12:30 PM. Burial will follow at approximately 1:30 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, James Island, SC.