Mary Lawyer

Mrs. Mary Lawyer, 86, of Bluffton, SC Past away on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at MUSC Charleston, SC she was the wife of  Edward Lawyer.  Arrangements are Entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.  We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall. 

There will be a Walkthrough Viewing at Campbell Chapel AME Church on Sunday, February 21, 2021,  from 3 PM to 6 PM. The funeral service will be held at Allen Funeral Home Complex under the canopy on Monday, February 22, 2021, at 10:30 AM. 

God’s precious gems are valuable, charming and priceless and are found in hidden
places. Mary was indeed a gem, valuable and precious to all those she encountered. Mary was
the Matriarch of the family, a true prayer warrior who prayed fervently and unceasingly and
with faith, trust and confidence that God will answer those prayers. When God gave Mary to
the world, he blessed us tremendously; her kindness, thoughtfulness and spiritual impact she
has had on family, friends and church members will live on through those she has touched
and will never be forgotten.
Mary Virginia Lawyer was born on August 30, 1934 to the late Henry and Fannie
Smalls in Okatie, South Carolina. Mary was the fifth of nine children. She attended the local
public schools in Bluffton, South Carolina. At any early age she embarked on a journey to
Boston, Massachusetts to create better opportunities for herself. In 1952, when in route to
Boston, she made a stop in New York for a few days where she met the love of her life and life
partner Edward Lawyer. On March 26, 1955 they were married and went on to spend 65 and
½ precious years together.
Mary served as a dedicated Trustee in New York at Beaulah Baptist Church for many
years before moving back to South Carolina in 1996. Once back in Bluffton she joined the
family church, Campbell Chapel A.M.E where she served as a missionary, a class leader and
was an active member of prayer and bible study. When in New York Mary was employed at
Irving Trust National Bank, where she retired in 1996 after 26 years pf employment.
Mary volunteered with Self Help under the late Mrs. Ida Martin. She was also a member
of the Ella C. White Scholarship fund for several years. Mary has faithfully served God and
devoted her life to being a true Christian through service and her dedication to her Church.
Mary was a compassionate Christian who expressed such concern and care for family
members and loved ones. She always made a point reach out to others to check on them and
encourage them. She was a phenomenal woman; a virtuous woman!
Mary was preceded in death by three sisters: Albertha Cogswell, Rosa Lee Gadson,
Anna Brown; two brothers: Ernest Smalls and Henry Smalls and one son, Edward Whitten
Lawyer Jr.
Her legacy of love will forever be cherished and treasured with fond memories by
her devoted and dedicated husband, Mr. Edward Lawyer, her caring daughter Terry Ann
Smalls, her attentive granddaughter, Tanae Mitchell. She will also be remembered by her son
Clarence (Janice) Whitten of Bluffton, SC, her daughter Edna Maxwell of Jacksonville, Fl, her
two sisters Margie (Richard) Baker of Bluffton, SC and Nellie White New York, One brother
and sister-in-law Lee and Mary Smalls of Bluffton, SC, one daughter in law Pamela Whitten
of Brunswick, Ga, seven grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Also, to hold and share memories are four brothers in law: Albert (Sharon) Lawyer
of Savannah, Ga, Arthur Lawyer of Patterson, NJ, George Lawyer of Hilton Head, SC, James
Kibler, Bronx, NY; four sisters in law Mattie Smalls, Louisville, KY, Mary (Bill) Green of Hilton
Head, SC, Martha Bazemore of New York, Louise (George) McCluney of Hilton Head, SC and
numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mary Virginia Lawyer was called home on February 13, 2021. A precious gem has
returned to her maker and she will truly be missed.
Mrs. Mary Virginia Lawyer

Here at Allen Funeral Home, we care about your safety. We ask that everyone please follow ALL of DHEC guidelines in regard to COVID-19.
Please actively practice social distancing (6-feet apart) and wear your mask at ALL times during the services that Allen Funeral Home provides.

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