Dr. Lawrence Ware

April 17, 1953 - December 13, 2021

Lawrence Ricardo Ware was the tenth child born to John Edward and Vonnie Marie Ware on April 17, 1953, in Anniston, Alabama. Lawrence accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and attended Grace Lutheran Church. There, he served as an acolyte and was frequently seen with his father cleaning the church. He attended 12th Street Elementary School, Pine Annex, and Cobb Avenue High School where he proved to be an excellent student. While at Cobb, Lawrence excelled academically, musically, and athletically. He played trumpet (1st chair) in the marching band, sang bass in the choir, and dominated as the star point guard for the Cobb High School Panther Basketball Team. Lawrence graduated as salutatorian in 1971 and decided to further his education at Talladega College. During his freshman year, he auditioned for the student-formed, multi-genre band, "The Soulful Downbeats." While awaiting his turn to audition, he locked eyes with a beautiful, feisty, saxophone-playing "soul sister" from Greenville, S.C. Her name was Anna Ruth Jeter. The two began dating and the rest was history. In 1975, Lawrence graduated Magna Cum Laude from Talladega College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He then went on to pursue a career in medicine and was accepted to Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN) in the Fall of 1975. Upon receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree, Lawrence chose to specialize in Family Medicine. In later years, he also received his certification in Laser Dermatology. During his residency, Dr. Ware trained at numerous hospitals. These included George W. Hubbard Hospital (Nashville, TN), Huntsville Hospital (Huntsville, AL), Fairview Medical Center (Montgomery, AL), Provident Hospital (Baltimore, MD), and Homer G. Phillips Hospital (St. Louis, MO). He passed his national board exams in 1979 and completed his medical training and residency in 1982. That same year, Dr. Ware was inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Family Physicians at the annual ceremony in Washington, D.C. On May 7th, 1983, Lawrence married his college sweetheart, Anna, in the presence of their families and friends. After an opportunity through the National Health Service Corps presented itself, the couple moved to Gadsden, AL, and established their medical practice, West Gadsden Medical Associates, P.C., and began serving the Gadsden/Etowah County community. In 1994, the pair welcomed their daughter, Lawren Brianna, into the world and began their "parenting journey." Lawrence and his family were faithful members of St. Peter Lutheran Church (Gadsden, AL) and also frequented First United Presbyterian Church (Anniston, AL). During his 36-year medical career, Dr. Ware impacted the lives of thousands of patients and saved the lives of hundreds. In addition to maintaining his private practice, he also worked at several other medical facilities which included V. A. Hospitals, urgent care centers, Quality of Life Health Services, and served as the physician for St. Clair Correctional Facility. Following his retirement from private practice in 2016, Dr. Ware worked as a private contractor for Quality of Life Health Services until November of 2021. He was a caring and devoted practitioner who earned the respect of his patients and colleagues. In addition to caring for his patients, he faithfully served as the Team Physician for the Anniston High School Bulldogs' Varsity Boys' Basketball Team for 19 years (under his brother, Coach Schuessler Ware). Dr. Ware loved spending quality time with his wife and daughter. For enjoyment, he would watch TV, work in the yard, ride his John Deere lawnmower, travel to visit family, and support his favorite sports teams from his favorite spot on the couch. He was a devoted husband and father, a loving son and brother/brother-in-law, a cherished uncle and great-uncle, an adored future father-in-law and dog-grandpa, a respected doctor and colleague, a loyal friend, and a mentor to many. Dr. Lawrence Ricardo Ware transitioned to his heavenly home on the morning of December 13, 2021, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his brother Gregory Lamar, his father John Edward, his mother Vonnie Marie, and his two sisters, Johnnie Sean and Laura Lee (John). To cherish his memory, Lawrence leaves behind his beloved wife, Dr. Anna Jeter-Ware, his precious daughter, Lawren Brianna Ware. future son-in-law, Preston Boggs, five sisters: Vonnie M. Fleming (Lucius)(Anniston, AL), JoAnn Ware (Anniston, AL), Julie E. Ware (Anniston, AL), Mary E. Register (Perry)(Sumter,S.C.), and Negretta L. Ware-Wilson (Anniston, AL); three brothers: James E. Ware (Alma) (Selma, AL), Attorney Charles J. Ware (Fran)(Columbia, MD), and Coach Schuessler L. Ware (Kim) (Anniston, AL); sisters-in-law: Carol E. Martin (Simpsonville, S.C.), Faye D. Neysmith (Villa Rica, GA), and Sandra L. Chapman (Harold) (Simpsonville, S.C.); thirteen nieces: Michelle F. Miles (Derrick), Ericka N. Ware, Mia Jacobs Turner (Robert), Lucinda Marie Ware, Kandria J. Turner, Shana Johnson, Jenae Staples, Dr. Ashley Marie Wilson, Brittany R. Ware, Denesha M. Chapman-Means (Joenathan), Gretchen E. Hunt (Cornelius), LaSaundra R. Jeter Caldwell, and Lisa Racquel Jeter-Sutton; twelve nephews: Lucius V. Fleming, Dr. Brian S. Register (Beverly), Judge Kelvin D. Jones (Denise), Attorney Eric L. Register (Kelly), Ryan S. Ware, Gregory J. Ware (Kaleef), H. W. Lamar Chapman (Suzette), Kelsey J. Chapman (Alicia), Damian M. Chapman (Ashley), Anthony L. Jeter (Tameca), Reginald O. Pickett (Beverly), and Victor E. S. Neysmith; twenty-eight great-nieces and nephews: Mariah, Amari, Sa'Nya, Nicole, Kierstin, Matthew, Devin, Sean, Dawson, Louis, Caleb, Kolton, Christian, Fureous, Chandler, Imani, Milan, Ethan, Malcolm, Stephen, Mackenzie, Gabriel, Makayla, Haiden, Anie'la, Lucas, Rachel, Elijah, and a host of cousins and friends. Dr. Lawrence R. Ware will be forever deeply loved and missed. We love you so much, Lawrence! In lieu of flowers please make a donation in honor of Dr. Lawrence R. Ware to: Meharry Medical College- 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 LIVE STREAM DETAILS: https://youtu.be/T-8vjEGSWdg Please tune in Wednesday, December 22, 2021 @ 12pm CST