Clifford Lawrence

Cliff was born to Hestella cross and William Lawrence on October 31, 1938,
in the Parish of St. Ann, Standfast, Brownstown, Jamaica West Indies. At the
age of 20, he met Daphney Whyte and they had a child, Pauline Lawrence, his
first born.
Shortly afterwards, he migrated to the UK to join his father for better
opportunities. Cliff quickly became independent as he had to work and
support himself. He supported his mother monetarily on a monthly basis, to
assure that she was not suffering.
On March 27, 1966, at the age of 27 he married his lifelong partner and love of
his life, Dulfenia Lawrence and shortly afterwards, Lorna was born.
He migrated to the US with his wife and daughter by ship in 1968. As he
continued to work hard for the support of his family. They acquired a home
in New York City while two more children, Wayne and Earl were produced.
As his mother was always a part of his success story, he sponsored her and his
youngest sister, Ariel, in November of 1973.
In 1976, the nuclear family relocated to Orlando, Florida. He was always
helping people especially the new immigrants and was instrumental in
making sure they had a better life and opportunities than he as had in the
beginning. Many people got their start by crossing his path.
Cliff, being a very ambitious person with a passion for success, pioneered the
first Jamacian grocery store, the first shipping company to Jamaica and the
first jerk center in Orlando. He and his wife continued to help their family
by sponsoring folk on both sides. Today, many lives are better, because of his
generosity and determination to help them. When he could no longer resist
the call of God upon his life, he said yes to Jesus and attended the “Higher
Calling Church of God,” under the late pastor, Leslie Gardner. Cliff continued
to be very active in the ministry with Pastor Gloria who is determine to uphold
the vision God gave her late husband.
In spite of his poor and humble beginnings, Cliff never allowed himself to
be hindered, not even by by age or lack of education. It was only about two
years ago that he joined Reverend Scott and his wife, Marcia, on a weekly
radio broadcast (WOKB-Voice of Praise) where he encouraged the listening
audience to accept Jesus before it’s too late.
On the day before he went home, he told his wife that he felt that he was going
to die. He knew that his soul was alright so he had no fear of going to his
forever home.
He woke up on the next morning and ask her to call the ambulance twice, as he
was having trouble breathing. Those were the last words he spoke. He passed
in his bed wrapped in the arms of his son, Earl. That’s a great way to leave
this earth. From his son’s loving arms into the arms of the lover of our soul.
He left behind, his wife, Dulfenia; children, Pauline, Lorna, Wayne, and Earl;
seven grandchildren and five great-grands; siblings, Jean Lawrence, Delithia,
Lawford, Jennetta, Lupiter, Annetta, Stephen, Ariel, and Eugalee; and many
cousins, neices, nephews, and a host of friends and acquaintances.

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