Ode to Iris Lawrence
- Amanda Johnston
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
March 17, 1943 – September 18, 2018
What is important about a life home
Born in the North Heights
Grew up there
came home
died in the same house
she was born in
What is important about a life education
The first Miss Black Amarillo in 1955
Graduated from the Black high school
George Washington Carver
with honors in 1960
Went to Washington DC
studied at Howard
What is important about a life access justice
Allowed to drink
from the colored only fountains
She participated in sit-ins
at the Kress Department Store
on Polk Street
What is important about a life entertainment
Walk-ins at the Paramount Theater
the majestic one where Sybil danced
and ukuleles played in the 1950s
the anchor on the south end of Polk
the most neon lighted street in America
What is important about a life work
the first “African-American female”
hired at Fedway Department Store
famous for the first escalator in Amarillo
Now home to WT’s nursing school
What is important about a life love
Gave birth to a daughter
Taji Rachaun
loved her father John
later loved Elton
What is important about a life faith
a member in good standing
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
If you drive by any Sunday,
her lady friends can be seen
in all their finery
What is important about a life representation
first Black female chairman
Potter county Democrats
County commissioner Precinct No. 4
elected national member
Democratic National Committee
What is important about a life teaching children
English at
Tascosa High School
“YES” program
Amarillo Independent School District
What is important about a life remembrance mourning
cut down by pancreatic cancer
even in 2018 incurable when
discovered late and spread
gone to the lord
What is important about a life thanksgiving and praise
Iris Elaine (Sanders) Lawrence
nice, quiet, and always gracious
she trusted her Lord
believed
in the direction
He led her
1943-2018
What is important about a life making the world a better place for
everyone
