Staff Writer

Flags throughout the city of Troy will be flying at half-mast today in memory of former Mayor Carroll Lawrence.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford has ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in memory of Lawrence, who served from 1948 to 1958, died Tuesday at Edge Regional Medical Center. He was 90.

Lawrence served when the city had the commission form of government and served as mayor every three years of his term in office.

One of his greatest accomplishments, Lunsford said, was working with fellow city commissioners Corley Chapman and Ed Murphree to create the Southeast Alabama Gas District.

The three worked with other communities in southeast Alabama to form the utility company.

"It was a good move on their part to join the district," Lunsford said. "But, it was a greater move for them to negotiate the lease payment (to the city of Troy)."

When the commissioners struck the deal, they got a $40,500 per year lease payment to the city over the 30-year life of the bond.

Lunsford said it’s ironic he won’t be able to attend the funeral because of a Southeast Alabama Gas District meeting.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Ellen Spangler Lawrence; son, Robert "Bob" Lawrence of Troy; sister-in-law, Sarah T. Lawrence of Eufaula; niece, Anne Lawrence Ballenger and her husband, Tom, of Eufaula; nephew, James T. "Jimmy" Lawrence of Birmingham and his wife, Kathy and great-nephew, Tolbot Lawrence of Birmingham.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. at Green Hills Memorial Park.