Lawrence Allenday Jr's Obituary
Lawrence Allenday, Jr passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the age of
72. He was born in Opelousas, Louisiana to Lawrence, Sr and Dora Allenday in July 26, 1949.
He grew up in several small towns around the Opelousas area before graduating from
Washington high school in 1967. After high school he joined the Merchant marines and
worked with them for a couple of years before he was drafted into the army in 1969. He was
sent to Vietnam in 1970 and spent most of his time on base in Bien Hoa. He talked about the
patrol walks he had to do and how it was so hot it would make his ears ring. After returning
to the United States and being discharged from the army, he came to Houston to work with
his brother-in-law, Sherrel. After working with him for a few years, he then began picking
up work at the Port of Houston as a Longshoreman, where he worked on and off for the next
twenty years of his life.
In 1972, he met Patricia and they wed in 1976. They moved to Pearland in 1978 where they
raised two daughters. He could be found most days walking around the yard drinking his
coffee and tinkering with things near his shed. He loved to barbeque and made homemade
beef jerky. Lawrence enjoyed spending time with his family and tried to make as many trips
back to Louisiana as he could to visit. He loved to make gumbo and a few times a year
would raise the “gumbo flag” for anyone that could stop by. He loved to garden and would
plant a big vegetable garden every year, which he would share most of his veggies with
anyone who wanted some. Most of all, he loved his grandchildren. He doted on them and
spent as much time as he could with them. They all love their “Papa” and riding on his
tractor. His siblings called him “Brother” and his nieces, nephews and cousins affectionately
called him “Uncle Brother”.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elsie Rabalais, his two brother-in-laws:
Sherrel Rabalais and Phillip LeBert, and his granddaughter Courtney Joyce. He is survived
by his wife of forty-five years, Patricia Allenday; his stepdaughter, Lisa Hardcorn and
husband Randy, daughters; Melanie Doneson and husband Mike, Lauren Brownlee and
husband Scott; His brother Johnny Allenday and wife Michelle, His sisters Linda Smith and
Mary LeBert, His grandchildren Ashton Joyce, Ella Brownlee, Mikey Doneson, and Nico
Doneson; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
What’s your fondest memory of Lawrence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lawrence?
Share a story where Lawrence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lawrence you’ll never forget.
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