Mrs. Imogene Touchton Connolly Lawrence, 83, of Lake City made her transition to Heaven on Tuesday, October 13, 2015.  Born in Valdosta, GA to Nicholas Duette Touchton and Ruby Allene Tyler Touchton. Imo's beloved father, Nick Touchton, moved the family to Lake City from the Valdosta area in 1936, and fell in love with the people of Columbia County. Imo graduated from Columbia High School in 1950 and immediately began her career as an Operator for Southern Bell. After several promotions, Imo became the Manager of Operator Services in 1975, where she remained until retirement in 1989 after 39 years of service.  Imo demonstrated a strong commitment to community service in Lake City throughout her life. She was one of the founders, in 1962, of the Lake City Animal Shelter, and served as its first President for 15 years and board member for 10 years and has been a current member of the Board of Directors until her passing. She served as President of the United Way in Lake City, and was the first woman to be a Drive Chairperson. She was the United Way Kick-off Chairman for 4 consecutive years, a board member of the Blue-Gray Army, and fund raiser for the March of Dimes, and a founder and member of the Dixie Dancers. She was one of the 5 original appointees to the Columbia County Industrial Authority and served on that board for 5 years, a dedicated member of Altrusa, and served as the membership chairman and instituted the "Membership Tea" that proved to be highly successful in growing membership in the organization.  In 1982, Imo was nominated as the Lake City Reporters Woman of the Year. She loved spending time on her beloved Itchetucknee River with her granddaughters Dee Dee (Della) and Kara, and was a certified "Tubing Nut". Imo was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lake City, and was preceded in death by her mother and father, brother, Nick Touchton, Jr., sister Barbara Touchton Bullard, and husband, Ed (Con) Connolly. She was absolutely thrilled with the recent birth of her Great Granddaughter Teagan.

Imo is survived by her husband, Vernon (Blackie) Lawrence; son, Mike (Della); granddaughters , Della (Tom) Cope, and Kara (Travis) Hooker; great granddaughter, Teagan Hooker; brother-in-law, Joe Bullard, Sr.; and nephew, Joe Bullard, Jr.

Funeral services for Mrs. Lawrence will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 16, 2015,  at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeff Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Lake City. Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lake City Humane Society, 1392 NW Shelter Glen, Lake City, FL 32055. Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. HWY 441, Lake City. (386) 752-1954. Please leave words of comfort and love on the online guest book at www.gatewayforestlawn.com