Maude Matilda Smith Lawrence, 96, of Hollywood, MD died January 8, 2010 at St. Mary's Nursing Center.

Born January 1, 1914 in Hollywood, MD, she was the daughter of the late Umphrey W. Smith and Maude (Dean) Smith.

Maude graduated from Great Mills High School in 1930 at age 16 and was the class valedictorian. She attended Maryland State Normal School in Towson, MD. She married William Thomas Lawrence on April 16, 1932. Retiring in 1979, Maude had worked at the Geophysical Instrument Lab in Washington, DC during the war, Hollywood Elementary School as the cafeteria manager, and for Mervell M. Dean as a bookkeeper and secretary.

In 1983, Maude was nominated by the St. Mary's County Commissioners to Maryland's Beautiful People. She was a member of the Ladie's Auxiliary of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department since its inception, a member of the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, and a volunteer at the St. Mary's Nursing Center. She was a member of the Hollywood United Methodist Church having served as treasurer, financial secretary, and chairman of the administrative board. Also, she served as spiritual life leader, treasurer, president, vice-president and program chairman of the United Methodist Women. She taught Sunday school throughout her years of service to her church.

Maude enjoyed crafts of all kinds and was known throughout her church family for her flower arrangements which adorned the altar on Sunday mornings. She also made flower arrangements for various receptions and special occasions throughout the church year. The flowers were picked from her gardens whenever possible. After her retirement, she travelled throughout Europe, the British Isles, Nova Scotia, and Canada. Her tours throughout the United States took her through most of the adjoining states and to Hawaii twice.

Maude is survived by her children, Joanne Lawrence Burch Buzzell and Billie Lawrence Myers both of Hollywood, MD, brother, Sherman U. Smith of Ft. Washington, MD, grandchildren, Deborah L. Smith of Sherborne, MA, Sheryl B. Norris of California, MD, Elizabeth B. Barthelme of Mechanicsville, MD, Kirk Myers of Pikesville, MD, Jennifer L. Christie of Hanford, CA, and Laura Myers of Hollywood, MD, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Lawrence, sisters, Dorothy Kirby and Thelma Schmalgemeyer, brother, Donald Smith and great grandson, Andrew C. Blake.

Family will receive friends for Maude's Life Celebration on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the Hollywood United Methodist Church, 24422 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood, MD 20636 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Sheldon Reese officiating. Interment will follow in Joy Chapel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636 or Joy Chapel Cemetery.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.