Charlene Louise Lawrence

Charlene L. Lawrence

December 3, 1944 - February 10, 2024

Indianapolis

Charlene Louise (Prince) Lawrence, 79, passed away on February 10, 2024, at Grand Brook Memory Care of Zionsville. Charlene was born in Holland, Michigan on December 3, 1944 to Jeanne (Price) and Clarence “Larry” Prince. She grew up in East Lansing, graduating from East Lansing High School in 1963. Charlene attended Michigan State University where she earned a degree in Police Administration in 1967. She was a faithful fan of MSU, always a Spartan. She enjoyed being a sister of the Alpha Phi Sorority. When she moved to Indianapolis, she served as an alumnae advisor for the Alpha Phi Sorority at Butler University. She received the Ursa Major award for alumnae who have achieved success in their chosen field either professionally or in volunteering. 

In January 1968, Charlene began her career with the Indianapolis Police Department, where she became the first female merit Lieutenant in September 1981 and the first female merit Captain in October 1985. In 1986 she was selected by the Indianapolis Monthly magazine as one of “the 86 people to watch in Indianapolis in 1986”. Charlene went on to retire from IPD in January 1997. 

In 1972, she met her husband, Douglas Lawrence. They married in October that year and were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage before Doug’s passing in 2022.

Charlene enjoyed traveling with Doug on multiple trips to Europe, summers in Macatawa, Michigan, and winters in Venice, Florida with family and friends. Charlene followed college sports, always rooting for MSU. She enjoyed visiting her extensive family and was always eager to share stories of her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren and their various activities. For many years she enjoyed her monthly bridge club. She was known for her elegantly styled family gatherings, her gift giving, and gift wrapping abilities. 

Charlene was proceeded in death by her parents and husband Doug (December 2022).

Charlene is survived by her children Linda Lawrence of Salina, Colorado, Karon (Gary) Harrison of Clayton, North Carolina, and Kevin (Michelle) Lawrence of Westfield, Indiana; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister Jackie (Bob) Nailler and brother Jeff (Lynn) Prince; and 11 nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 10am-12pmat Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W. Moore Chapel (https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://www.indianafuneralcare.com/___.YXAzOmluZGlhbmFmdW5lcmFsY2FyZTphOm86ZTk4Y2UwZmYzZjAzMDcwYzgwYjJjNTc2ODY4NWFmMTQ6NjphYmViOjc1NjA1ZjVhZWE4MjlkNzY5NWQxODEyNzI4YThmOGY3YWNhYjI2YTk3ZGNjYWRjMzdjM2I5OWJjOTVmMWI4YTE6dDpU), 8151 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250, with funeral at 12pm. Internment at Crown Hill Cemetery (https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://crownhillhf.org/visit/___.YXAzOmluZGlhbmFmdW5lcmFsY2FyZTphOm86ZTk4Y2UwZmYzZjAzMDcwYzgwYjJjNTc2ODY4NWFmMTQ6NjoyMDgyOmE4NTgwNmNiOWYxZWMzODEwNGQ0ZmE5Nzg5MmM2NzJjMTgyZWFjZDA4NmM0ZjQ5Mzg5NWUyOTdkN2FmNDVmMGU6dDpU), 3400 Boulevard Place, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimers Association of Greater Indiana, https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://www.alz.org/indiana?form=FUNSETYDEFK.___.YXAzOmluZGlhbmFmdW5lcmFsY2FyZTphOm86ZTk4Y2UwZmYzZjAzMDcwYzgwYjJjNTc2ODY4NWFmMTQ6NjoyNmMxOmFkYmM5OWM1YmU5MWNkZGExYTcyNGZjMWQ3NTc4NTYzOTRiNjc2MTFhMmVhZTE2M2QzYjE1NGZlM2EwOWNiMDk6dDpU