Mrs. Thelma Houck Lawrence, age 96, passed away on December 2, 2017 at Margate Heath and Rehab Center. Mrs. Lawrence was born on February 24, 1921 in Ashe County to the late Conley and Pearl Houck. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Worth and Roy; her sisters, Bertha, Doris, Hilda, Reva and Wanda. Mrs. Lawrence grew up in the Mill Creek and Baldwin Community until her marriage in 1941 to the love of her life, Dean, who preceded her in death in 2003. In the early years their marriage, Dean and Thelma, worked together to build a beautiful and productive farm. They strived together to care for and nurture the beauty round them. While her husband was away in Europe during World War II, Mrs. Lawrence cared for his elderly parents, two young children, managed the farm and kept the home fires going. Mrs. Lawrence will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens and her love for birds. She also enjoyed the visits and the company of her many nieces, nephews and friends. She is survived by six children, Brenda (Bob) Shepherd, David (Judy) Lawrence, Dianne (Steve) Little, Christine (Steve) Osborne, Talmadge (Marianne) Lawrence, Van (Tammy) Lawrence and her caregiver of many years, Patti Fairchild. Mrs. Lawrence is also survived by her ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Mrs. Lawrence's life will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Bald Mountain Baptist Church at 11:00am. Mrs. Lawrence was a loyal member of the church all of her adult life. She will be laid to rest a Bald Mountain Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00am on Monday one hour prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers memorials gifts can be made to Ashe Services for the Aging, 180 Chatty Rob Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.