Lawrence L. Buchanan

1919 - 2017

HAMPTON - Lawrence L. (Pete) Buchanan went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 17, 2017 after a wonderful life of 98 years! He was born June 15, 1919 to Mattie Eva (Young) and Joe Buchanan in Person County, NC. He moved to the Peninsula in 1951 to work at Newport News Shipbuilding, where he worked for 30 years until retiring in 1981. He was fortunate enough to live a long time retired, enjoying his family and friends, his gardening, working on lawnmowers, listening to gospel and bluegrass music on his front porch rocker, and his church. He lovingly took care of his wife Vessie throughout her long battle with Alzheimer's disease, caring for her at home as long as he could, then visiting her daily at a care facility until her passing on their 60th wedding anniversary. He always took care of family and extended family, often opening his home to ones in need of a place to live for a while, and feeding anyone showing up at his door. He attended every school play, sporting event and dance recital that he could for his children and grandchildren, even driving carpool to many of the practices. He was an avid gardener and took great joy in delivering his tomatoes and other vegetables to his neighbors and friends, even growing tomatoes in the garden at the back of The Devonshire Assisted Living Center to give to his nurses. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as an usher and faithfully attended as long as he was able. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Vessie Blalock Buchanan, his mother, father, brother Malcus Buchanan, and sister Estelle Wilkerson. He is survived by his two children - Barry Lawrence Buchanan and wife Debbie and Pamela Buchanan Lawson and husband Gregory all of Hampton, VA; two grandchildren - Laura Buchanan Moore and husband Chris of Annapolis, MD and Robert Buchanan Lawson of Hampton, VA; four great grandchildren - Marina Elizabeth and Colin Buchanan, both of Annapolis, MD, Mason Alexander and Blakeley Jane, both of Hampton Roads, VA. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by a sister, Josephine Curtis, of Kansas City, KS. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, several of whom have been so kind to him and supportive of him in his aging process, particularly Donald and Ronald Buchanan. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at The Devonshire, Bayside of Poquoson and Grace Hospice for the kindness and care provided him in his last years, as he battled dementia, and to his family physician, Dr. Lawrence Hyman, and cardiologist, Dr. Derrick Ridley, whom he credited with his (almost) making his goal of living to 100. A private interment will be held followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Memorial Baptist Church, 324 Newport News Avenue, Hampton, VA 23669. The family will receive friends in the church social hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's' Foundation or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.