Ann Lawrence

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Carolyn Ann Lawrence, "Ann" or "Mom Ann" to everyone who knew her, was born September 15, 1938 to Owen Thel Fudge and Vela Rhea Estes Fudge in Melbourne, Arkansas.  She departed this life, fighting until the end, on January 27, 2024.  Ann was a shining star at an early age and was entertaining others to sell war bonds by the age of five.  She was a talented pianist and alto singer. At 16, she lied about her age in order to obtain a marriage license and eloped with the love of her life, Don Estes Lawrence. She and Don didn't tell anyone they were married for three weeks.

Ann graduated with the love and support from her two toddlers, her husband, and her mother, from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) with a BA in English.  She then began teaching school at Mt. Pleasant, Arkansas. After a time, she became Program Director for Northcentral Arkansas Development Council, and later served as Project Director for the White River Planning and Development District's first program on aging. Ann was also instrumental in implementing the Head Start program in Northcentral Arkansas.  Ann became a successful entrepreneur by owning two book stores, Ann's Fashions and Gifts, the American Burger Center, and a pawn/antique store.  She finally returned to teaching at Melbourne High School until her retirement. Although she only taught for a total of 10 years, she must have had 1,000 students, because so many people tell what a great teacher she was.  Ann never met a stranger and had an infectious smile that could light up a room.

Ann was a strong Democrat, a devoted Razorback fan, a ravenous reader, and a woman with a deep appreciation of music, stories, politics, history, family, and celebration.  She was a deal maker and a fierce negotiator, and could find a diamond in the rough, but embraced the junk in the transaction as well, just in case it might be worth something later on.  She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grand's, and family with a fierce, deep, and steadfast devotion, all the while forgiving them for their sins and overlooking their shortcomings. In her eyes, they were always perfect, and no one could say anything to the contrary.   Ann savored a successful trip to Tunica, a terrific estate auction, a good glass of wine, a competitive family poker game, a spirited Trivia Pursuit game, and smoked until the day she died.  She never retreated from a good political debate, and could quote Shakespeare, Poe, Hemingway, or the most appropriate lines from Star Wars at length.

Ann is proceeded in death by her parents, Owen and Vela, her husband, Don, and her son Don Eugene Lawrence. She is survived by daughters Julie Ann Stinnett (James) of Belle, Missouri, Stacy Linda Gunderman (Tony) of Batesville, grandchildren Mandy Brokaw, Jeremy Lawrence (Emily), and Jordon Lawrence (Stephanie) all of Melbourne, Morgan Weaver and Will Weaver (Megan) both of Jefferson City, Missouri, Dr. Lauren Gunderman (Will Crawford) of Batesville, Anthony  Gunderman (Christina) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ben Gunderman of Batesville, nine great grandchildren, Shelby Smith (Will), Hayley Medina, Hunter Brokaw, Madison Brokaw, Tristen Lawrence, Joannie Lawrence, Oberyn Lawrence, Chloe Wiles, and Vada Williams, four great-great grandchildren, Jace Medina, Ensley Smith, Ember Lawrence and Benji Lawrence, and a host of precious cousins, friends, and former students. For an only child, Ann leaves behind a large legacy and larger- than-life memories.  Her final message to her family was to "Remember how much Don and I loved you. Be happy, be honorable, be caring for others. Love each other and above all, keep a relationship with a higher power."

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jeremy Lawrence, Jordon Lawrence, Will Weaver, Anthony Gunderman, Ben Gunderman, and cousin Keith Fudge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ann and Don Lawrence Non-traditional Student Scholarship at Lyon College:

Lyon college

Attn: David Hutchison

Memo: Ann and Don Lawrence Scholarship

Lyon College

2300 Highland Road

Batesville, AR 72501