Lawrence Edward English

1952 - 2025

Lawrence Edward English, 73, of Murphy, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Lawrence was born in Buncombe County, N.C., to the late Floyd Raymond and Effie Doris McIntosh English. He was raised a few years in Madison County, then moved to Cherokee County.
Lawrence was a graduate of Murphy High School, Gwinnett Hall Bible College and Tri-County Community College. He was a pastor and member of Bell Hill Baptist Church, and had pastored Meadow Grove Baptist, Grace Baptist, Grandview Baptist and Ogreeta Baptist.
Lawrence was actively involved in jail ministries in Union County, Ga., and the Dalton. Ga., area, and radio broadcasts for many years.
He had worked as senior supervisor at Clifton Precision/Moog for more than 35 years, along with working many years at RC Cola as well. Lawrence enjoyed his honeybees, selling Smokey Mountain Pure Honey far and wide.
He was a true outdoorsman. Lawrence loved hunting, fishing, antique cars, beekeeping, Sudoku puzzles and was a master gardener. He was also a carpenter, having been led to build Grace Baptist Church in Hayesville. Lawrence loved renovating and beautifying other churches he pastored.
He was led by God to start one of the First Fundamental Independent Baptist Churches in Hayesville which was named Grace Baptist where he served as pastor for over 10 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Orla Jean "Susie" Mashburn; and his brother, Billy Floyd English.
He is survived by his wife, his high school sweetheart for 53 years and 11 months, Ellen Radford English of Murphy; his son, Ben English (Courtney) of Hayesville; his daughter, Andrea English Lytle (Scott) of Old Fort, N.C.; his brother, Raymond English (Geneva) of Cohutta, Ga.; his sister, Naomi Farmer (Phil) of Murphy; his grandchildren, Peyton Maney, Delaney and Reese English, all of Hayesville; and many cousins, loved ones and grandpuppies. He loved being called Papaw by friends and family.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy with Pastor Raymond English and Preacher Shannon Helton officiating, and Pace Ware officiating at graveside. Burial was in Peachtree Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jacob Kitchens, Joey Lequire, Tim Chastain, Phil Farmer and Ed Marvin. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Hawkins and grandchildren Lawson and Elias Kitchens, Charles Fox, Bobby Sneed, Jeff Radford and son Jasher Radford, and David Reid and son Grant Reid.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at townson-rose.com.