Obituary of Kristina Rae Lawrence

Kristina Rae Lawrence

February 3, 1950 - July 10, 2022

Kristina Rae Lawrence, of Ocala, Florida passed away peacefully on July 10, 2022. Kris lived a courageous life filled with family, friends, joy, and love.  She was an incredible example of how to give life your all, no matter what hardships are thrown at you.  Kris was a wonderful and wise friend, a playful and funny teller of tall tales to kids, a lover of three-part harmony, a lifelong voracious reader, an aspiring writer, a cherished sister, aunt, and godmother.  

Kris was born on February 3, 1950 to Naomi (Mickey) and Bill Lawrence in Bartlesville, OK. She was the youngest of four sisters, until a brother came along.  In 1967, after graduating from College High School, she attended college in Creston, Iowa. In 1968, she was in a car accident and sustained a serious spinal cord injury. She continued to persevere with unbelievable courage and determination and learned to live with her disability.  She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, met the love of her life, Mark Morgan, and graduated with a degree in Special Education.  In 1973, Kris was in another car accident with her husband, causing further damage to her injuries. Kris once again persevered, and eventually became a highly respected and loved staff member at the University of Oklahoma working in both the Human Resources and Financial Aid Departments. During that time she advocated and fought for accessibility for disabled workers and students. 

In 1998, after the passing of her husband, Mark, she retired and relocated to Ocala in order to be closer to family. She developed profound and lasting friendships with her caregivers, became a loving and devoted Godmother to one of her friend’s child, and made a multitude of close friends. She loved reading, lunch dates with friends, listening to music, and spending time with her Ocala family. 

Kristina Rae Lawrence is survived by her sisters Nancy Leonard, Linda Kinder, Kay Dennis and brother BJ Lawrence; her Goddaughter Hannah Tolbert, nieces Heather Fontana, Robin Henry, Shannon Vianello, Christie Dennis, and Jennifer Kitchell; nephews Michael Parrish, Steven Parrish, Jason Dennis, Chad Lawrence, Christopher Lawrence, and Colin Lawrence.  Numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends. 

Kris will reside forever in our hearts. Just as in life, we can always count on the memory of her brave spirit and steady wisdom in hard times.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 13^th at 2:00pm at the Ocala First United Methodist Church, 1126 East Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala Florida 34470.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the following foundations are appreciated: 

 

 

Christopherreeve.org/donate

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A 

Short Hills, NJ 07078  800-225-0292

 

https://craighospital.org/foundation/howtogive

Craig Foundation

3425 S Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 attn: Craig Foundation

303-789-8650

 

Services are entrusted to Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services.

 

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