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Lawrence Staten, the husband of the Rev. Yvonne Mercer-Staten, died suddenly March 14. His funeral was held March 23, at Eastern UMC in Baltimore.

Lawrence Staten was born to the late Ralph Staten and Betty Staten-Mosley Dec. 8, 1945, in Baltimore. He was educated in the Virginia and Baltimore County Public Schools. He spent his life at Airco Welding Products for 26 years and Baltimore County Government for more than 20 years, retiring in 2007.

He and Yvonne Mercer married in 1961 at St. Matthews in Turner Station. They had one son, Lawrence Ashley Staten.

Staten loved the church, though as a child in rebellion against going to church every day all day long, he said he’d never go to church again, “when I grow up.” For all who knew him, the church of Jesus Christ was his life. He loved to usher, sing, pray, testify and encourage everyone. For more than 10 years, he served as a Marshal at the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference sessions. He joined the male choir and prayer ministry in every church God planted him.

These included the churches his wife served: Asbury UMC in Hagerstown from 1999-2003, then Union UMC in Aberdeen, and currently Simpson-Hamline UMC in D.C. since 2009.

Staten will be remembered as one who always shared the love of Christ through his love, passion, and care for others.

Survivors include his wife, Rev. Yvonne Mercer-Staten of Mitchellville; son, Lawrence Ashley Staten at home; mother, Betty Staten-Mosley; four sisters and three brothers, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent to Yvonne Mercer-Staten, 10810 River Oaks Terrace, Mitchellville, MD 20721-2355.

Memorial contributions may be made to Washington Latin Public Charter School "Scholarship Fund", 4715 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 or to Simpson-Hamline UMC "Youth Rock Retreat",4501 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20011.