RICH SQUARE—A quiet stretch of road here has been officially dedicated in honor of the late Reverend Charlie C. “CC” Lawrence.

On Thursday, family and friends of Lawrence along with Northampton County Commissioners and North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) officials gathered near Rich Square to dedicate the stretch of road.

The portion named in honor of Lawrence is located on NC 305 north and extends from the Rich Square town limits to Bolton Road.

Lawrence was involved with many civic, state and religious affiliations, including being an executive board member for the Roanoke Association, member of the general board of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and a member of the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). He also served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

According to relatives of Lawrence, he served as a pastor in the four-county area, including the Roanoke Chapel Baptist Church near Jackson.

“He was a great man of God and an educator,” said Cordelia Askew, the niece of Rev. Lawrence.

Lawrence was born in Woodland and attended R.L. Vann High School in Ahoskie. He later graduated from T.S. Cooper High School in Sunbury. Rev. Lawrence continued his education at Shaw University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in education, Bachelor of Divinity and Doctorate of Divinity degree.

He married Malinda Peebles in 1957 and the couple lived in Rich Square.

Mrs. Lawrence gave her gratitude to those involved with making the road dedication possible.

“I would like to give special thanks of appreciation to everyone who had a part in the efficient planning and efforts to make this occasion an actuality,” said Mrs. Lawrence. “I am most grateful for everything you have said and done and I thank each of you.”

Northampton County Commission Vice-Chair Fannie Greene reflected on Rev. Lawrence’s life. Greene is a member of Roanoke Chapel Baptist Church and knew Lawrence as the pastor.

“Reverend Lawrence was an excellent servant of Northampton County,” she said.

Greene said she, along with her colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, were happy to support the incentive.