Mr. Nathaniel Douglas Lawrence

The passing of Mr. Nathaniel Douglas Lawrence, age 52, on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Duke Regional Hospital, 3643 N Roxboro Road, Durham, North Carolina 27704, is being announced by his loving wife Shaneeka. To the world, he was Nate, but he was born Nathaniel Douglas Lawrence on May 22, 1967 in Fayetteville, North Carolina to the late Moses Lawrence and Patricia Mack Lawrence. He grew up in Durham and was educated in Durham County Schools. As a child, he could be found snuggling with his favorite blue blanket and snacking on sweets. Once a teenager, he grew fond of break dancing. After graduation, he headed to Job Corps with his brother and cousin. At Duke Regional Hospital on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 9:05 p.m., God called him to his final resting place. He was preceded in death by his father, Moses Lawrence; uncle Theodore Mitchell, Aunt Roetta Hicks, uncle John Mack, aunt Annie Mae Smith, uncle Johnathan Dunegan, uncle Lewis Mack, aunt Mamie Louise Smith, uncle Stanley Harry Mack, cousin Chris Smith and nephew Bryson Judd. For over 20 years, Nate worked at General Services Corporation (GSC). Prior to working at GSC, he worked at Ole North Carolina Bar-B-Que and this is where he met his wife of almost ten years, Shaneeka. Their romance was aided by Shaneeka's childhood friend and fellow Ole NC BBQ co-worker, Lakeika. Once "officially" a couple, Nate and Shaneeka dated throughout her high school career and most of her undergraduate college career before parting ways. Even after ending their romance, the two still kept in contact, laughing about memories and sharing about the latest happenings in their lives. After many moons apart, the couple rekindled their romance, eventually became engaged, and wedded on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at The Hudson Manor in Louisburg, North Carolina. Nate was determined to give Shaneeka the storybook wedding she wanted and did just that with an outdoor summer wedding with hundreds of family and friends in attendance. Nate was a faithful member of Greater Waltown where he served on the Usher Board. Until the significant decline of his health, he faithfully attended Sunday morning worship. He would often be spotted on the first row clapping his hands, stomping his feet and making a sound of praise. Nate had a huge heart and love for his family, especially his son. From the time Demetrius was five, he participated in the Durham Eagles Pop Warner Football Program and Durham Striders Track Club. Within both of these organizations, Nate was actively involved. He was on the Durham Eagles' coaching staff for nine seasons, serving as an Assistant Coach with the team Demetrius was on every season but one. If he was not on the football field, he could be found on the track supporting Demetrius and the other Durham Striders. He enjoyed being a part of the track meet logistical team--running water to each station, making sure everyone had food, setting up and breaking down the tents and being security for indoor meets. Nate loved cheering on the Duke Blue Devils and Dallas Cowboys. It brought him great joy to call his friends and family on the phone when one of his teams beat their team. Nate never met a stranger and prided himself on making people laugh. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Shaneeka Moore-Lawrence; son, Demetrius Alexander Moore; mother, Patricia Mack Lawrence; four sisters, Annie Judd (Dwight); Bonnie K. Smith, Felecia Lawrence and Sandra Coleman; brother, Ronald Lawrence; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elder Timothy and Mrs. Florine Moore; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Minister Byron and Keesha Judd; special friend, Richard Coltrane; "brother"/cousin, Anthony Smith; one aunt, Ida Mack; two uncles Richard Mack (Valinda) and Robert "Slim" Mack (Betty); sixteen nieces and nephews--Michael Lawrence, Bryon (Vicki) Lawrence, Jerome Lawrence, Patricia Lane, Katrina Lawrence, Shatara Lawrence, Tiffany Coleman, Keith Lawrence, Marion Smith, Kalesha Lawrence, Kitisha Lawrence, Kamisha Smith, Tamaron Lawrence, Nasir Lawrence, Dior Brooks and Kelce Judd; and a host of extended family members and friends. A celebration of Nathaniel's life will be held at Greater Waltown United Holy Church, 706 Belvin Avenue, Durham, North Carolina, 27704 on Tuesday, December 17th; Family Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and Life Celebration Service at 12:00 noon.

Mr. Nathaniel Douglas Lawrence

May 22, 1967 - December 12, 2019