Teresa Gail Laws

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A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Teresa Gail Laws

Teresa Gail Laws

was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 8, 1956, to George and Christine Laws. When Gail was five years old, her family moved to Riverside, California. There she attended Elementary School, High School and then went on to Riverside Community College where she studied Art and Early Childhood Development. Later her parents decided to move back to Memphis, Tennessee. Gail worked a few jobs in her field and then was employed with Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal School until she retired.

Teresa Gail Laws was truly an amazing woman of God and knew the Lord and loved him dearly.

She was a member of Riverside Missionary Baptist Church and loved ministry and the Word of God. Words cannot explain how passionate Teresa was about making a difference in the lives of children. She had the esteemed honor of fostering a precious little girl with her daughter this past year. That brought so much joy to her heart. Gail inspired, mentored and motivated anyone that came into her path. Gail was indeed a phenomenal and influential woman.

Preceding Teresa in death, her loving maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, Mrs. Minnie Mayo and Mr. Cevel Mayo of Arlington, Tennessee, her loving parents, George and Christine Laws, her loving brother, George Calvin Laws, her stepbrother, Waddell Laws and maternal uncle, Harold Williams, three paternal aunts, Vetta Gosa, Ruth Johnson and Mildred Simmons all of Memphis, Tennessee.

Teresa Gail Laws was a phenomenal woman of God, and her legacy and presence will be greatly missed. She will forever be in our hearts. She leaves to treasure her memories: her loving daughter, Ariel LaShaun Laws, four maternal aunts: Aline Rankin of Inglewood, CA, Gordie Lawson of Memphis, TN, Samever Christopher (Raymond) and Bertha Triplett (Walter) both of Arlington, TN, two maternal uncles: Samuel Mayo of Memphis, TN and Julius Williams (Margaret) of Chicago, Illinois. She also leaves her lifelong best friend and cousin, Sandra Rankin from Inglewood, CA and her lifelong best friend, Beryl Freeman from Holly Springs, MS. She leaves two beautiful nieces; Gabrielle Turnage of Memphis, TN and Latrissa Garrison of Riverside, California, many relatives, friends, co-workers that loved her oh so dearly.

The Celebration of Life

Teresa Gail Laws Saturday, August 6, 2015 11:00 A.M.

Riverside Missionary Baptist Church 3560 S. Third St. Memphis, Tennessee 38109

Bishop Kevin Brian Willis, Sr. ~Officiating~

Processional.................................................................................Family of Teresa Gail Laws Selection................................................................................................Riverside Mass Choir Old Testament Reading - Ecclesiastics 3:1-2..............................Minister Galvin Johnson Jr. New Testament Reading - Philippians 4:12-13............................Minister Galvin Johnson Jr.

Prayer.........................................................................................Brother Muhammad Salaam

Selection................................................................................................Riverside Mass Choir

Expressions of Reflections (Respectfully Three Minutes, Please)

Melody Purnell....................................................Church Jayshell Holts......................................................Family Gabrielle Turnage...............................................Family Kappi Beazley......................................................School Acknowledgments & Resolutions............................................................Sister Patricia Leavy Selection................................................................................................Riverside Mass Choir Eulogy........................................................................................Bishop Kevin Brian Willis Sr. Selection................................................................................................Riverside Mass Choir Benediction Recessional (Remains will not be viewed following Eulogy. Graveside service, committal ceremonies and final disposition via Funeral Cortege)

C

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Memories

TLove

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A Tribute to Teresa Gail Laws

Mom, you are such a phenomenal woman of God. You embody everything I aspire and want to be in life. You are such an inspiration to every person that comes into your path. Thank you for always believing in me. I’m going to miss you so much, but I know you are watching over me.

You are my best friend, and I love you with all of my heart.

I will continue to make you proud, and I know you are smiling in Heaven with Nana, Grand Daddy, Uncle Chuck and Mr. Dennis. You will always have the key to my heart.

I’m proud to have you as my mother.

Love Always, Ariel LaShaun Laws

An Extraordinary Bond of Friendship

How often will I now dial your phone only to realize that your residency has changed?

There was rarely ever a time that we failed to contact each other before a 48 hour period ended. You were always the first to check on me when a disturbance was nearby or to see if I made it safely after a long commute or trip.

My friend you were a fighter to the end. Never did you allow any illness to overcome you. You continually exhibited a strong determination to push on despite the struggles and challenges placed before you. Above all, you were a firm believer in our Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. I will admire you for always celebrating family and the accomplishments of others. Getting together for birthdays, holidays, graduations, and or just because was always a highlight for you.

We shared road trips, vacations, favorite spots and everyday life. Your routine greeting for me was “What’s up Freida?” and my response would always be “Gale Marie”. So now my friend, I will celebrate our journey through this life, the extraordinary bond of friendship and the sisterly love we shared through it all.

Beryl D. “Freida” Freeman

We love you in life We love you in death We will hold onto your memory til our last breath.

Your sense of humor, your dedication, your loyalty and your smile will surely be missed but one thing you can take with you is this.......

It will NEVER be forgotten!

Aline, Cynthia, Sandra, Petra & Jayshell and Dominic

~Acknowledgements ~

Teresa Gail Laws

With sincere appreciation for your kindness, the family of gratefully acknowledges your support, love, and generosity during this difficult time. Your generosity and support means so much and demonstrates your endless love for her. Special thanks to the staff of Davita Dialysis Center, Dr. Nawar Mansour and her Grace St. Luke’s Family. May God continue to bless you each and every day.

In lieu of flowers, to honor my beautiful mother’s legacy Gifts in Gail’s memory will be used to support The Scholarship Fund, Grace-St. Luke’s endowment for student financial aid.

~ Active Pallbearers ~ Jamie Mayo

Al Hayes

Keith Mayo

~Cypress Interment ~ Creek Cemetery Collierville-Arlington Rd. Eads, Tennessee 38028

Rodney White Michael Rayner Jeffrey Mayo

~ Repast ~ Riverside Missionary Baptist Church 3560 S. Third St. Memphis, Tennessee 38109

“When the Day is over, let it go!

Don’t dwell on what you could’ve or should’ve done.

Tomorrow is another day and another chance to do better.” ~Words of my Mom, Teresa Gail Laws

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