Biography: Larry “Sonny” Lawrence was born January 30, 1956 in Harlem Hospital in New York City to Fletcher Lee Lawrence (deceased) and Pastor Mary Lawrence. Sonny was raised on 141st St. in New York City.
Sonny attended P.S. 123, Fredrick Douglas J.H.S., and Louis D. Brandeis H.S. and later moved to 129th St. He was raised up in Sacred Heart Pentecostal Church in New York City under the leadership of Pastor Romeo Pelzer. Although Sonny was taken away from family and friends at the age of 26, he never became bitter or complained about the injustice he endured, but focused hard on one day re-entering society. Through education, Sonny earned a diploma as a Recreation Aide in 1986 and an Associate in Applied Science degree in 1987 from Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge, New York. And in 2016 prayers were answered and Sonny was able to reconnect with his 91 y/o mother, his sister Valerie, and a host of family and friends, for whom he cherished and adored. At the time of his death on February 19, 2020, Sonny resided in New York City where he was cherished and well loved by everyone he encountered.
He is preceded in death by his father, a brother, and a nephew.
Left to mourn his passing are his 91 y/o mother PastorMary Lawrence of Headland, Alabama; one sister Valerie Wilson of Miami, Florida; niece Shantay Wilson of Headland, Alabama; nephew Kenyatta Reed of Dothan, Alabama; great-niece Kimetta Lancaster of New York, New York; great-great nephew Aser Ismeal of New York, New York; cousin Tanya Smith of New York, New York; god-sister Joyce and Shaunta Veasley of Bethel, Connecticut; two aunts Ella Dean McGlown of Headland, Alabama and Betty Mitchell of New York, New York; one uncle LeRoy Turner of Abbeville, Alabama; one special cousin Patricia Turner of New York, New York, Cordelia Farley of New Jersey, and Mr. Anthony Lynes of New York, New York who helped him greatly and was a large part of his life up to his final days. Sonny was well loved by a host of family and friends. He will be missed and forever in our hearts.
