Jean Elizabeth Lawrence

Jean Elizabeth Lawrence, 85, of La Plata, Maryland, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, with her loving husband, William (Joe) Lawrence, by her side.

Jean was born on February 2, 1941, on Barton Hall farm on Oakley Road to the late Thomas E. Shotwell and Agnes Elizabeth (Quade) Shotwell. Her father “Tom” was a sharecropper. Jean and her sister, Lucille, spent their early years at Barton Hall Farm on Oakley Road in Avenue Maryland before moving to a larger home with Agnes’ brother Buck on Nichloas Hall Farm. They shared many fond memories and built lasting friendships with their cousins, which Jean always treasured. In 1947, Tom would buy his own land to farm and used the timber from the property to build the small house Jean and Lucille would grow up in. The family shared many memories from weddings to holiday dinners in that house. When Jean married, she received a half-acre of land and built her own home, remaining on Oakley Road for most of her life. Jean attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Margaret Brent High School.

On August 4, 1962, Jean married Malcolm (Mac) E. Gass, Jr., at Holy Angels Church in Avenue. On October 20, 1963, they welcomed their daughter Caroline. They shared nearly eight years together until his untimely death on April 18, 1970.

Jean lived a life deeply rooted in her Catholic faith. Her days were filled with many hours of prayer, reading her Bible, and watching Mass. Jean never ended a phone call without saying, “God Bless You.” She meant every word, truly believing that everyone needed a prayer. With her soft-spoken voice, she always had a kind word and a gentle smile. She will be missed and remembered by the many lives she touched.

She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. In her early years, Jean loved to listen to country music and could always be heard singing a tune while doing housework or tending to her roses. She took great pride in her appearance, spending hours on her makeup, hair, and outfits. Jean thoroughly enjoyed her years working as a salesperson for Avon and Mary Kay Cosmetics, always saying she loved making others “beautiful.” She also shared her warm hospitality as a waitress for many years.

In 2016, Jean reunited with her high school sweetheart, William Lawrence. Jean and William were married on June 3, 2017, with their loving family as witnesses. Together, they cared for and loved each other immensely. William affectionately called her “Jeannie,” just as he did when they were teenagers in high school.

In addition to her husband, William (Joe), Jean is survived by her sister, Mary Lucille Carpenter of Avenue; her loving daughter, Caroline (John) Howe of Hollywood; and her loving stepdaughters, Melissa Bearden of La Plata and Tanya Lawrence of Jacksonville, Florida. She is also survived by, and was so very proud of, her grandchildren, Heather Marie McNamee, and Shannon Rene Hoopingarner; her special grandsons, Andrew Bearden (Hannah), Daniel Bearden, Matthew Bearden and Sean Howe; her great-grandchildren, Dylan Ocheltree, Devon Ocheltree (Annabell), Danica Ocheltree, Daeshaun Brown, Xavier Wedding, and Henrik Wedding, Camden Howe and her great-great-grandson, Levi Ocheltree. Jean is also survived by her niece, Brenda Koncen (Dale) and her nephew, Wayne Graves (Pam) and their families.

In addition to her parents and her first husband, Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Maxine Marie; her son, Mark Anthony; her niece, Connie Lucille Sell; her great-niece, Natasha Eileen Graves; and her great- grandson, Alexander Bearden.

Jean also leaves behind her special kitty “Harley”. Jean loved her so much.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD. Interment to follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Wayne Graves, Andrew Graves, Scotty Nelson, Daeshaun Brown, Devon Ocheltree, and Dylan Ocheltree.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.