Kelly Lynn Lawrence

Click HERE to watch Kelly's Memorial Service.

 

Kelly Lynn Lawrence, born October 9, 1965 in Tyler, Texas, passed on to eternal life in early September at the age of 57.

Kelly was a 1984 graduate of Quitman HS and was active in UIL One Act Play (OAP), cheerleading, and band. Outside of school, she was active in her church at Myrtle Springs Baptist Church. In 1983, she was crowned The XVIII Dogwood Fiesta Queen. She was a Meadows Foundation Scholar at North Texas State University (NTSU) which was 3 years of intense education and classroom training beginning her junior undergraduate year. In 1989, she received both a bachelor's and master's degree: a Master of Secondary Education with a minor in Drama and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in English and a minor in Drama. She was recipient of the Anne Bradshaw-Stokes Scholarship and the Robbie and Sissy Spacek Memorial Scholarship for the Arts. 

She won numerous awards for acting and directing at NTSU and was named Outstanding Undergraduate in Drama. She appeared in over 40 productions on the various NTSU stages. She also studied acting at The Institute for Theatre at Harvard University and the American Repertory Theatre in Boston. She interned at Austin Academy for Excellence in Garland ISO and student taught in Grapevine-Colleyville ISO. She later taught Theater Arts and English in Travis MS in Amarillo, Mineola HS, Highland Park HS, and Deer Park HS (DPHS) from which she retired in 2020 after 31 years of teaching with the Texas State Teachers Association. Kelly also served as sponsor/coach to cheerleading squads, director to plays, musicals and OAP, and Department Chair at DPHS for 18 years. She was proud to have been a consultant on the design team for the renovations to the Gaines Mason Auditorium at DPHS. She continued her involvement in UIL OAP after retirement serving as adjudicator in UIL competitions throughout the state. 

Kelly additionally was involved in productions at Slightly Off Center Players Company and Art Park Players Theatre in Deer Park, TX. Kelly also made numerous appearances with the Richardson Theatre Centre while teaching in Highland Park and reconnected with the Centre in her retirement. She was a talented actor, vocalist, speaker, and director taking her DPHS OAP to State multiple years. She made many friends along the way and was a beloved educator, mentor, director, counselor, sister, daughter, and friend to many. Her avid interests were in theater, movies, and music. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Owen Jr. and Mary Helen Lawrence, and is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Mathew & Lisa Lawrence of Kingwood, TX; her sister, Kimberly Lawrence of Rockwall, TX; nieces, Mrs. Scott (Elizabeth) Melvin of Carmel, IN, Michelle Lawrence of Bedford, TX; and three grandnieces/nephew, Corrine, Blaise, and Adelaide Melvin of Carmel, IN. 

Friends and family may join in her funeral service, Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. held at Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home in Quitman, TX with a burial of cremated remains following at Rock Hill Cemetery near Yantis, TX. Alternately or in addition, you may wish to attend a Celebration of Life at Art Park Theatre in Deer Park, TX on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 1-4 pm.