Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Linda Lawrence, former Child and Elder Sponsorship Program Manager
Linda Lawrence
July 16, 1951 – May 25, 2026
Born on July 16, 1951, to the late James and Maude Lawrence, Linda was raised in Cleveland’s Superior neighborhood and the close-knit community of Shipherd Court. She graduated from East High School in 1969 and later attended Cuyahoga Community College. Her faith journey began at Union Grove Baptist Church, where she developed a relationship with God that would guide her throughout her life. Linda’s faith remained central to her life. She trusted God through every season, leaned on prayer, and freely shared encouragement with others.
Linda built a career defined by excellence, service, and determination. Her sharp intellect and tireless work ethic spoke much louder than her age. By her mid-20s, she shattered glass ceilings to become one of the industry’s youngest bank managers and the first Black assistant bank manager at the Forest Hills branch of Bank One. In the very community where she was raising her own family, Linda modeled what it looked like for a Black woman to lead with excellence, dignity, and authority. She later joined the Urban League, helping lead programs that opened educational opportunities for young people through the ABC (All Black College) Tours.
Her longest chapter of service was with the United Church of Christ, where she worked for more than 30 years and ultimately led the Child Sponsorship Program within Global Ministries. Through her work, children and families around the world received support, resources, and hope. Linda never sought recognition for what she did. She simply believed in helping people and doing the work that needed to be done. After a lifetime devoted to serving others, Linda retired in 2021, but her commitment to faith, family, and community never slowed. She continued to devote herself to her loved ones, her church, and the relationships that meant so much to her.
As a member of Imani Temple Ministries since 2013, she found joy in worship, fellowship, and service. In 2026, she received one of the church’s highest honors when she was appointed to the Mother’s Board of Imani Temple Ministries, a recognition of her faithfulness, wisdom, and years of devoted service.
As accomplished as she was, Linda never measured her life by her career. If you asked Linda what mattered most, the answer would have been simple: family.
She was a loving mother to Leslie (Alphonso), Dana (Leeobra), and Aaron (Falandia) and a caring bonus mother to Babette and Vergil Calloway. She was a devoted grandmother to Aashlie, Lee, Alphonso “Trey,” Ahmad, and Ahniya, and a proud great-grandmother to Aashton and Tru. Preceded in death by her brother, James Jr., also left to mourn Linda are her sisters: Shirley, Dolores, Jean, and Pearl, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, as well as best friends, LaMarco Cable and Leshawn Davis.
Linda loved having her family together. She celebrated birthdays, graduations, holidays, and everyday moments with equal enthusiasm. She was happiest when the people she loved were gathered in the same room, sharing food, laughter, and stories. She believed family should stay connected and never missed an opportunity to remind everyone of that fact.
One of her favorite times of the year was Christmas. She loved decorating, shopping, and finding the perfect gifts, but what she loved most was seeing her family together. The beautifully decorated tree, the carefully chosen presents, and the holiday meal were all expressions of the same thing: love. Christmas gave her the chance to bring together two of her favorite things—family and shopping—and she embraced both with joy.
Those who loved Linda will remember her not only for what she accomplished, but for how she made people feel. They will remember the phone calls, the prayers, the holiday gatherings, the thoughtful gifts, the conversations, and the steady presence of someone who cared deeply about the people in her life.
She leaves behind a family who loved her dearly, friends who will miss her greatly, and a legacy that will continue through the lives she touched.
We will miss her laughter, her guidance, her generosity, and the way she brought people together. Yet we rejoice in knowing that her labor was not in vain, her faith never wavered, and her love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Without a doubt, she has been greeted with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”