Lawrence Douglas Allison

GAFFNEY, SC—Lawrence Douglas Allison, 90, of 111 Hillsdale Dr., went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Cherokee Medical Center. Mr. Allison was born in Gaffney, SC. He was the husband of Brenda Batchler Allison and son of the late Lawrence Fort Allison and Daisy Coyle Allison.

Mr. Allison was a proud veteran, having served four years active duty in the US Navy. He was also a former member of the Masonic Lodge #186.

Mr. Allison was a former business owner. Over his lifetime, he and his wife owned and ran multiple small businesses in the local community, including Allison's Heating & Oil and Allison's Outlet. Mr. Allison was a jack of all trades who could fix anything, as well as an avid gardener with a green thumb. After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and providing fresh vegetables for his family and flowers & plants for his home. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Blacksburg where he proudly sang in the choir, formerly served as a Deacon, and was a member of the Jabez Sunday School class. He loved his church community and valued the opportunity to use his skills to serve the church as the former House &  Grounds committee chair. In addition, he had a passion for visiting the elderly in his church community, regularly visiting those in nursing homes and retirement centers when he was able. He was a passionate football fan – you could find him at home each and every fall Friday night listening to the Gaffney Indians on his Walkman radio, and glued to the television for any college football game, especially the Clemson Tigers.

As Mr. Allison's health declined in his later years, his wife dedicated her life to caring for him. She made sure he was where he needed and wanted to be. Her love and dedication allowed him to be active with his family and church up until his final day. With her help, he was able to enjoy every single day of his 90 years.

Mr. Allison was a cherished husband, daddy, and Paw-Paw. He loved his family immensely and even as his health declined, he never missed a family celebration or event. After needing to stay at home for a time during 2020, he felt strongly that the Lord would give him the strength to return to his church family that he dearly loved. At 90 years old, he rarely missed a Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night service. He spent the weekend before his passing exactly where he wanted to be – with his family for his great-grandson's birthday party on Saturday and in church with his wife and daughter on Sunday.

The family was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Mr. Allison's 90th birthday last June, where family, friends and even former members of his Boy Scout troop stopped by to thank him for the leadership role he played in their lives, particularly in their early years. He was loved beyond measure by his wife of almost 64 years, and the family was looking forward to celebrating that anniversary this April. He was a wonderful daddy, but an amazing Paw-Paw. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life, and he told them that every chance he could get. He was a reserved man, but not when it came to expressing how much he loved his family. He will be remembered by many for his sweet smile, quick wit, wise advice, and warm affection. He lived a happy and full life of 90 years. While his family wasn't ready for him to leave us quite yet, he reassured us that he was ready whenever the Lord chose to take him home. While we will miss him each and every day of the rest of our lives, we have no doubt that Jesus welcomed him home on Thursday morning.

In addition to his wife, survivors include son, Lawrence Fort Allison of Gaffney, SC and daughter, Leandra Allison Bright (Morgan) of Wellford, SC; daughter, Laurinda Allison Pennington and husband Harold Pennington, Jr. of Blacksburg, SC, and their children, Allison Elizabeth (Victor) of Charlotte, NC and Andrew William (Madyson) of Kings Mountain, NC; two great-grandchildren, Luke David Pennington and Aubrey Leigh Bright, and another expected in May, Eli Harold Pennington; one niece, Elizabeth Mathis Hanks (David); two nephews, Ronnie Smarr (Gail) and Steve Crocker (Janice); and four great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Myrtle Allison Smarr (W.B.), Doris Allison Mathis (James), Louise Allison Crocker (Lawrence); one infant brother, Charles Fort Allison; and one nephew, Larry Crocker.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00PM Monday, March 3, 2025 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Blacksburg. Funeral services will follow at 4:00PM, conducted by Reverend Robbie Moore and Dr. Terry Duvall. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. The family will be at the home, 111 Hillsdale Drive, Gaffney.

Pallbearers serving are Andrew Pennington, Victor Pirie, Will Cobb, Kaleb Cobb, Walter LeCroy, and Robbie LeCroy.

Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, Blacksburg.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com.

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC