Lawrence "Lightening' Lewis, Jr.

On the Saturday, March 23, 2024, Deacon Lawrence “Lightening” Lewis, Jr., of Florence, passed from time to eternity.  

Homegoing celebration for Deacon Lawrence “Lightening” Lewis, Jr., of Florence, will be Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Inc., 265 South Church Street, Florence, S.C.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden. Public viewing will be Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM at the Washington and Charlotte C. Jordan Memorial Chapel, 108 Lee Street, Darlington, S.C. 29532.

At Jordan, we are privileged to serve the family. Express your condolences at www.jordanfuneralhomeinc.com.

Deacon Lawrence Lewis, Jr. was born June 9, 1944 in Florence, South Carolina to the late Lawrence, Sr. and Margaret Skinner Lewis Shefton. Later in life, his step-father, George Shefton, became a very important part of his life.

Lawrence was reared by his grandparents, Mr. Lucius and Mrs. Martha P. Skinner until their

deaths, then by his aunties Pastor Earline S. Howard and Ms. Mildred Skinner until he became an adult.

He was educated in the public-school system of Florence County.

At a very early age, Lawrence started his carpentry career under Weatherford Contractor of Evergreen, South Carolina. After Weatherford Contractor, Lawrence worked as a Master Carpenter with his brother-in-law, Leo Smith. After working for others as a Master Carpenter, he decided to become self-employed as a Master Carpenter - where he continued his love of

woodwork until his decline in health.

After two years of friendship with Mary Swinney, Lawrence and Mary were united in holy

matrimony in 1978. He was baptized October 1, 1978 at Greater Zion Tabernacle, Florence, South Carolina And he received the Holy Spirit in December, 1979. He served many years at

Greater Zion Tabernacle before uniting with Pathway Pentecostal Temple, Florence, South Carolina. Between these two churches, Lawrence served as a Deacon for over 46 years.

Preceded in death were his parents, grandparents, and ten siblings.

He leaves to cherish his memories are: wife: Mary S. Lewis; two sons: Dr. Kenneth G. Carter (Teresa) Fayetteville, North Carolina and Ray Bailey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren: Karen (Michael) Dawson, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Aaron Carter, Atlanta, Georgia, Kelvin Carter, Los Angeles, California, Rhiannon Bailey, Zion Bailey both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; eight great-grandchildren; one brother: Marion (Maranda) Shefton, Florence, South Carolina; six sisters: Sarah Eaddy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Valerie Shefton, Anderson, South Carolina, Pastor Gloria A. Cooper, Georgia L. Shefton, Lula D. Wright, Margaret (Bishop Frank) Smith, al of Florence, South Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lawrence loved all of his family, but close to his heart was his granddaughter, Karen Dawson of Fayetteville. He also had two nieces that were like daughters to him, Beverly Smalls and Tanya Shaw both of Florence, South Carolina.

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