Leatha L. Lawrence

Leatha Lee Lawrence was born March 3, 1946 in Schenectady, New York to James L. Saunders and Elizabeth W. Johnson.  She was educated in the public schools of Schenectady, and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in June 1964. Leatha furthered her education, receiving an associate degree as a Paralegal.  Leatha was joined in matrimony to Gayton Lawrence, Sr., which to that union were born her pride and joy, Sherrelle, Shauntelle and Gayton, affectionately known as “Brother.”  To know her was to know of the tremendous love and adoration she had for her children and the two following generations.  Leatha was employed by the State of New York, first with the NYS Office of the Attorney General, as a Legal Assistant I, then at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as a Legal Assistant II, until she retired April 9, 2004, with 24 years State service.

At a young age, Leatha accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, first attending the Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ, and was later baptized into the fellowship of the Friendship Baptist Church of Schenectady, under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Carl B. Taylor.  Some years later, after moving to the Albany area, Leatha united with Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend William E. Morgan, where she served God and loved His people.   

In 2001, Leatha united with Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of Reverend Willis F. Bruton.  She became very active in the life of the Church, serving as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, and as a result of her faithfulness, she was appointed and consecrated to the office of Deaconess.  In 2010, under the Pastorate of Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr., who she affectionately loved and called, “Pastor-Son,” Deaconess Lawrence was set apart as a “Mother of the Church,” a position she held with precision and excellence, which garnered her the name, “Ma Leatha.”  Under Pastor Taylor, she remained his Administrative Assistant, a Deaconess, an ardent Sunday School and Bible Study member, faithfully served in the Church’s soup kitchen, Servant-Leader Advisor of the Missionary Ministry, and was a committed tither and supporter of the Church-wide ministry.  Faithful would be the word that depicts her best.

On the evening of March 25, 2026, Leatha answered the call of God, and as she sweetly lived, she sweetly transitioned into the arms of Jesus Christ.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Carleton M. Saunders.

Celebrating her life, love and great legacy are, her loving children, Sherrelle L. Lawrence, Shauntelle L. Piezon (Scott), and Gayton L. (Brother) Lawrence, Jr., her grandchildren, Camry E. Simon, Devin A. Blair, Octavia D. Bent, Anasia E. Thompson-Lawrence, Javier Grevely, Nadia C. Thompson-Lawrence, Scotty R. Piezon             , Chinah M. Black-Roller (Dean), Samiah Goodwin, great-grandchildren, Dmari Blair, Romel Tyler, Alaun Smith, Corey Smith, Avani Blair, Taniyah Blair, Jaelyn Danio, Sy’Riah Blair, her sister, Donna L. Hewlett, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, her Sweet Pilgrim family and many, many friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leatha L. Lawrence, please visit our floral store.