Johnny Dwayne Lawrence, 78, of Batesville and Mt. Olive, departed this life on August 13. He was the firstborn child of Albert Lawrence, Jr. and Mary Jo (Tootsie) Langston Lawrence.

In his youth, Dwayne was the pitcher on his baseball teams, and later he was the pitcher for his softball teams. He helped organize and coach youth baseball and softball at Bethesda. He was a proud graduate of the 1965 Southside High School class, and he kept in close contact with his fellow classmates. He was a former member of the Arkansas National Guard from 1966-1972 Dwayne worked at International Shoe following graduation. He began employment at White Rodgers in the early 1970s, and he retired as a supervisor in 2002. Following his retirement, he spent many hours researching his ancestry and the history of Mt. Olive. He loved the outdoors, and he was an avid bass fisherman and hunter.

Dwayne is survived by his life partner Lisa Holowell-Clayton; sons Shannon Lawrence (Marcia) and Jason Lawrence; stepdaughter Paige Clayton; grandchildren Brittney Scarbrough (James) and Brady Lawrence (Candice); ten great-grandchildren; sister Mary Etta Chosewood (Donald); and brothers Larry Lawrence (Tracey), Keith Lawrence (Gena), and Kenny Lawrence (Debbie); and a host of other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents.

There will be a visitation held at Willis Funeral Service Chapel on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 2 PM until 4 PM. The funeral service, officiated by Larry Sellers, will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Chris Yancey, Todd Shaw, Gary Moser, Tom Harris, Rick Proctor, Keith Holowell, and Eric Low. Honorary pallbearers are Brady Lawrence and James Scarbrough.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dwayne's honor to Mt. Olive Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Cindy Parker, Treasurer: 210 Bear Trail Hollow, Melbourne, AR 72556).