Winona Paige Lawrence

The staff at Heishman Funeral Home, Inc. send condolences to the family of Winona P. Lawrence. Heaven joyfully welcomed a new resident on February 16, 2026, when Winona Paige Lawrence, 100 of Bentonville, VA entered into glory. Winona was born in Fort Valley Virginia to the late Walter W. Paige and Bessie Ritenour Paige. She graduated from Edinburg High School, and went on to complete Registered Nurses’ training in Winchester, VA. She attended Philadelphia School of the Bible where she met her husband, Alfred Lawrence. She was a loving pastor’s wife who supported her husband through his seminary training and ministry in churches in PA, NJ and Virginia. After her retirement from a long-term care community in NJ, she and Alfred relocated to her roots in the Fort Valley, where they attended Dry Run Christian church and Alfred served as pastor for some years. Winona’s greatest joy was to love and support others, and her prayer was that her life would always bring glory to God. After returning to the Fort Valley, she volunteered at the Fort Valley library, at Blue Ridge Hospice, and she and her husband conducted services at various retirement communities. She was a beloved Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and also led women’s Bible studies. She enjoyed teaching cooking and sewing classes to youth at her church. She was famous for her homemade bread, rolls and jellies, and for years she donated rolls to the Fort Valley Fire Company for their benefit meals. She will always be remembered for her warm hospitality to strangers and friends alike. Her gentleness and wisdom were her trademarks, and to know her was to love her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, and by staff at Hidden Springs Senior Living where she resided. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of almost 69 years, the Reverend Alfred Lawrence, and two brothers, Arthur and James Paige. She is survived by her brother Howard Philip Paige (Mary) of Strasburg, VA, four children Rebecca Bowles (William) of Aberdeen, MD, Alfred Lawrence (Denise) of Greenville, SC, Elizabeth Lawrence and Martha Lawrence both of Lititz, PA, grandsons John Lawrence (Rebekah) of Fort Valley and James Lawrence of Taylors, SC, and three great grandchildren Jonas, Gabriel, and Eva Lawrence of Fort Valley. Burial will be private. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday March 14 at 11:00 AM at Dry Run Christian Church 8398 Fort Valley Rd, Fort Valley, Virginia 22652. Family visitation to precede service at 10:00 AM, and a fellowship meal will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial contributions to Fort Valley Fire and Rescue or to Gideons International. The family wishes to thank Hidden Springs Senior Living staff for their years of loving care, and Blue Ridge Hospice staff for providing supportive end of life care. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Home, Inc., Heishman Funeral Service Branch, Woodstock.

Winona Paige Lawrence

September 20, 1925 - February 16, 2026