Clara "Joan" Lawhorne, 70, of Ty Ty, the beloved daughter of Frank and Grace Lawhorne, was suddenly taken home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at Tift Regional Medical Center, after experiencing a massive heart attack. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Ty Ty. Rev. Chad Hall will officiate with burial to follow in Salem Memorial Gardens. Alex Lawhorne, Scott Schicker, Greg Schicker, Doug Schicker, Royce Frazier, Royce Lawhorne, Charles Frazier and Donnie Hasty will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Joan was born on September 25, 1938 in Ty Ty. After leaving Tifton in 1959, Joan lived with her parents in Omaha, Nebraska; Saint Paul, Minnesota; and Mason City, Iowa, before the family returned to Ty Ty in 1984. Joan was preceded in death by her father, Frank, in 1986 and a brother-in-law, Jerry Schicker, in 2005. She loved her "Braves" and would never miss a game of television. The game she attended in person was a special event in her life which she always remembered and cherished.
Joan was a "special" person who loved and was loved by all who knew her. Although faced with many obstacles throughout her life, Joan was always a positive influence on all around her. Joan may have spent the last five years in a wheelchair, but now she is dancing with Jesus in Heaven. Joan will be deeply missed.
Joan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ty Ty for 25 years.
Joan is survived by her mother, Grace Lawhorne of Ty Ty; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Marjorie and Bob Wittekind of Apopka, Florida, and Patricia Schicker of Casselberry, Florida; one brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Sue Lawhorne of Ty Ty; plus the following nieces and nephews, Bryan and Kim Wittekind and children Katrina, Moriah, Wesley and Deanna of Hawaii; Curtis and Debra Wittekind and children Jake, Nash, Audra, William, Nolan and Rebecca of Apopka, Florida; Kimberly Wittekind and children Shayna and LeeAnn of Apopka, Florida; Scott and Tracy Schicker and children Derek, Kyle and Lauren of Deltona, Florida; Jeff and Diane Schicker and children Jake and Abigail of Casselberry, Florida; Greg and Donna Schicker and son Kristian of Casselberry, Florida; Doug Schicker and Holly Childs of Winter Springs, Florida; and Alex Lawhorne and Staci Mills of Ty Ty.