DeBarbara Toney Lawrence died on Saturday, December 20, 2008.
She was born on December 14, 1953 to the late Percy Lee and Matilda B. Toney in Chattanooga. She was a 1971 graduate of Howard High School and attended the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
She was employed by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee for 35 years, retiring on December 14, 2008. She was a faithful member of Resurrected Baptist Church and choir and taught Sunday school.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Reuben C. Lawrence Jr.; children, Duchess and Leighton H. Lawrence; sister, Donna R. Miller, brother, Kenneth L. Toney; stepsister, Tavonya (Cedric) Battle, step-brothers, Ronald (Cathy) Steven (Keisha) and Gerrod Shepherd; father and mother-in-law, Reuben C. (Betty) Lawrence Sr.; brother-in-law, Rev. Jeffery (Valerie) Lawrence, Macon, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Teresa Lawrence-Phillips, Nashville, and Carol (Jack) Lawrence-Fitzpatrick, Fort Wayne, In.; stepfather, Ronald Shepherd; grandchildren, Jacory, TaShayla and Robert; aunts, Annie Lois Scott, Ceola Oliver, Mamie Jean Toney, Selika Toney, Huntsville, Al.; nieces, Shawanna (Charles Grant, Kara Lawrence, Anna Fitzpatrick and Tess Lawrence; nephews, Montrell Miller, William Lawrence, Micah and Kyle Phillips, Jack Jr., and Daniel Fitzpatrick; stepnieces and nephews, Fredrick Mapp, Brian Reed, Cetavia Battle, Keante, Sidney, Khalia, Montez, Sherrod, Jamari and Makayla Sheph erd; great-niece, Tianna Grant; devoted cousin, Cleveland (Jean) Toney; devoted friends, Ernest "Sam" Williams and Konya Cole-Bouie; and many other relatives from the Beasley, Toney and Lawrence families.
DeBarbara was loved by all who knew her, especially her extended families at BlueCross BlueShield and Resurrected Baptist Church. Special thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of Tn., Hospice of Chattanooga, and Resurrected Baptist Church for their support during her illness; and Union Grove Baptist Church for the benefit held in her honor on her 55th birthday under the direction of Ernest "Sam" Williams.
Homegoing services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, at Resurrected Baptist Church with Pastor Eddie Daryl Jacks and other ministers officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Friday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.