Chuck Wayne Lawrence, M.D., a resident of Troy, died at his home Monday, October 24, 2016, at the age of 65. Dr. Lawrence is remembered as a gentle and generous man, who until the day he died could not believe his good fortune that he got to go to work and play with babies every day. Chuck was born in Prattville, Alabama and graduated from A. G. Parrish High School in 1970. He attended Troy University and the University of South Alabama, graduating from South Alabama Medical School in 1978.

Reflecting on his life shortly before his death, Chuck left the following message to his friends and family:

“I am a man blessed with gratitude. I have done nothing to deserve such grace, but as one of my dear friends pointed out to me some 15 plus years ago, grace is a blessing you receive regardless of your actions, by a Higher Power of my understanding who is beyond my understanding. So it is with overwhelming gratitude, I face a tough hurdle. I wish I could get a chance to talk to every friend and family member for a chance to express to each, these feelings of overwhelming love and affection I have for each of them, but that would likely take the remainder of this century. Indeed that is how blessed I am. I have read many letters and experienced many more calls from so many that, at times I have been rendered speechless due to the tears of joy welling within me. I have known the love of an incredible woman who in turn became the mother of the four greatest of all my gifts, my inestimably gifted and loving daughters! In turn they have given me three sons to love, and now grandchildren. Any sadness that I experience when thinking negatively, is a selfish concern that I may no longer be able to exult in their lives and achievements. In my life, at one time or another, I have known the joy of four grandparents, including some unrelated, 14 aunts & uncles, and enough cousins to fill an auditorium (which we have done). Along my journey I’ve been fortunate enough to make a plethora of friends, many of whom have become like family. My recovery family has likewise become an indispensable bulwark over the last 15 & 1/2 years, without them my life would be nil. My daily existence is supported by my work family, without whom I would be incomplete. Each one of them with their unique gifts have touched me even when unaware. Total this all up and it’s astounding how blessed I am. I am grateful to the Creator of the universe for all this and more!”

Chuck is survived by his ex-wife and mother of his children, Mary Ruth Lawrence, and his daughters, Cera Fisher (Thomas), Cecily Collins (Bob), Chelsea Lawrence, Chaeney Milligan (Blake), and his niece and adopted daughter Shelby Pipkin; his grandchildren Aiden Milligan, Garrett Collins, and Ellie Milligan; his brother Tim Lawrence and sisters Cathy Meter (Les) and Denise Lawrence; numerous and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Services will be held Friday, October 28, 2016 at 4pm in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home of Troy. Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Charles Henderson Child Health Center or to the Children’s Miracle Network.