Lawrence Johnson Caison

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 3 Apr 1944, Florida Military Academy, St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA
• Residence: 1993, Clinton, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Friends say long-time councilman's life was one of service
by Chris Berendt
Staff Writer
clintonnc.com 25 Sep 2012

Family, friends and colleagues are grieving the loss of longtime Clinton City Councilman Lawrence Caison, who passed away peacefully Sunday at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of service to community, dedication to hometown and love for family.

Born in Roseboro, Caison was a lifelong resident of Clinton. He served nearly a quarter century on the Clinton City Council, a 24-year span that stretched from his election in Dec. 6, 1977 to Dec. 4, 2001. In addition to his accomplishments over that six-term period on the Council, Caison was an established local entrepreneur and a known family man, many said.

"He was a very, very good man," said Clinton Mayor Lew Starling. "I'd like to say I knew him all his life, but he knew me all my life. I was a friend of Mr. Caison's; I shopped with him at his stores and observed him on the City Council and reviewed his work. He was always a very active member of the City Council."

Mr. Caison's private life was centered on his family and work as a partner or owner at Caison Brothers Building Supply, Hargrove's Men Shop, Quick Way Stores and Caison Family Mart. He was a devoted member of the Lions Club, serving the group as treasurer. In 2003, he was selected as Lion of the Year and, in 2004, received the Jack Stickley Fellow Award, the organization's highest honor.

Caison attended Clinton City Schools, Florida Military Academy and Florida Southern College where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After serving in the Navy, he joined Caison Brothers Building Supply with his two brothers. An entrepreneur at heart, Caison was constantly active in acquiring, improving and managing real estate.

He was also active in looking after his community. As a council member, he took great interest in the wide spectrum of city affairs.

"Mr. Caison was dedicated to the city, took a great interest in it and always was a true steward of the taxpayers money," Starling said. "The recent successes of our community can be directly attributed to his service on the City Council and building a good foundation for the town."

Among the notable accomplishments during Caison's tenure on the City Council, he was directly involved with the expansion of Clinton City Hall to include a new administrative wing; the purchase and renovation of both the Wall Street Fire Station and the current Police Department facility; as well as the construction of the Bellamy Center at Royal Lane Park.

Pete Connet, who served as city manager from 1972 to 1984, said Caison gave all his efforts to the city of Clinton and working closely with staff in his Council capacity.

"I was manager when he was elected," said Connet. "He was a very honest person and always supportive of staff and what we were trying to do. He was very forward-thinking and just a great guy to work with. He was always willing to help and I know he gave his all to the Council."

Former city manager Tommy Combs agreed. While Connet worked with Caison during his first couple terms on the Council, Combs was manager for the bulk of Caison's time on the board.

"Lawrence was always a very active City Council member and took great interest in the affairs of the city," said Combs, who served 20 years as manager, including 17 years with Caison, from 1984 to 2001. "He had a real interest in the town and was easy to work with, and was very thorough in his decision-making. If he needed additional information to make a decision, he would ask for it."

Even after their time serving the city, Combs said he kept in contact with Caison through the years and would visit him from time to time. He said he would hold very fond memories of Caison, who he noted made his community proud.

"Lawrence cared a great deal about Clinton and it was a great pleasure to have served with him during my days as the Clinton city manager," said Combs. "He was a fine man."

In honor of Caison's service on City Council, all flags were being flown at half-mast on Monday and Tuesday. A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, Caison will also be memorialized in a service set for 2 p.m. today (Tuesday). Family visitation will follow the service.

Caison is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca Kirkland Caison and their children, Lawrence Johnson Caison Jr. of Raleigh, Nancy Caison Moore of Charlotte and Lucille Caison Sossaman of Raleigh, as well as his 10 grandchildren.

Caison married Becky, a school teacher from Durham, in 1954. They raised their three children on Parker Drive, where Caison's two brothers and one of his three sisters also built homes and raised their families. Rarely did a week go by without some sort of family gathering, no surprise for a man who cherished family.

Caison's death comes on the heels of longtime mayor Emsley Kennedy's passing just last month and former Councilman and longtime employee Joe Best's in April.

"It's been a tough year for those folks who knew and worked with the people who were on the old City Council," said Connet. Caison himself recognized that fact during two separate conversations with The Independent this year.

Caison spoke just last month on the occasion of Kennedy's passing, acknowledging a man with whom he served 24 years. Months earlier, he similarly shared his thoughts about Best, a colleague to whom he was related through marriage.

He shared kind words for both men, praising their dedication and intellect during years of well-respected service to the community, as well as their strong commitment to family. The city of Clinton was fortunate to have them, he said.

Now, many are sharing the same sentiment about Caison.

"He was a very well-respected businessman, a great family man and just a solid citizen in every regard," Starling said. "This is a great loss to the city."

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.
http://www.clintonnc.com/view/full_story/20256182/article-Friends-say-long-time-councilman%E2%80%99s-life-was-one-of-service

Died:
Lawrence Caison, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 23, 2012. Son of the late Fred and Bettie Caison, he was born in Roseboro, NC and was a lifelong resident of Clinton, NC.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Hillary and Fred Caison and sisters, Kitty Morisey and Mildred Parker.

He is remembered with love and affection by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca Kirkland Caison; his sister, Betty Gene Best; his children Lawrence Johnson Caison, Jr. (Laura) of Raleigh, Nancy Caison Moore (Kent) of Charlotte and Lucille Caison Sossaman (Alex) of Raleigh. Granddaddy will be missed by Mary Cameron, John and Kirkland Caison, Katherine (Michael), William and Caison Moore and Benjamin, Lauren, Anna and Will Sossaman. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces, as well as, other cherished family members.

Lawrence attended Clinton City Schools, Florida Military Academy and Florida Southern College where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After serving in the Navy, he joined Caison Brothers Building Supply with his two brothers. Later, he became a partner in Hargrove’s Men Shop and Quick Way Stores and started Caison Family Mart. His entrepreneurial spirit always kept him active acquiring, improving and managing real estate.

The Clinton community was dear to him. In 1977 he was elected to the Clinton City Council and served six consecutive terms through 2001. As a council member he was known for his sense of fairness and ability to build consensus. He served the Lion’s Club as Treasurer and in 2003 was named Lion of the Year. In 2004 he received the Jack Stickley Fellow Award, the organization’s highest honor. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family. In 1954 he married Becky, a school teacher from Durham, NC. They raised their three children on Parker Drive where his two brothers, Hillary and Fred and sister, Mildred also built their homes and raised their families. Sisters Kitty and Betty Gene and their families were always close by. Rarely did a week go by without the family gathering at someone’s home to enjoy a meal together. In 1971 he bought an old cottage and tract of land at White Lake where he had spent time as a young boy. Along with a few others, he developed Village 12 which became the home for the family’s annual “Camp SosCaiMor” for many years and continues to be a fun place to make memories.

He leaves a legacy of faithfulness, devotion and provision for his children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Clinton with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/09/24/2365473/lawrence-j-caison.html

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 9 Jun 1880, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1910, Lisbon, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 12 Sep 1918, Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1920, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Frederick married Bettie Pauline Johnson on 28 Jan 1912 in Sampson, North Carolina, USA. Bettie (daughter of Living and Living) was born on 25 Dec 1892 in North Carolina, USA; died on 17 Nov 1979 in Clinton, Sampson, North Carolina, USA; was buried on 18 Nov 1979 in Clinton City Cemetery, Clinton, Sampson, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• SSN issued: North Carolina, USA
• Name: Bettie Pauline Caison
• Residence: Clinton, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Social Security Number: 244-72-0913
• Residence: 1920, Sampson, North Carolina, USA; Little Coharie

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, Sampson, North Carolina, USA; Northern District
• Residence: 1860, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1870, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1880, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1900, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1920, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Some information on this family came from Heidi (Alice) Caison Harris. (I have family group sheets on file which she sent to me in June of 1992.) Birth and death dates came from their tombstones. (Susan Sharp comments.)

Thomas + Mary Lou Underwood. Mary (daughter of Jacob Underwood and Mary Jane Parker) was born on 29 Apr 1856 in Sampson, North Carolina, USA; died on 26 Apr 1914 in Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina, USA; was buried on 27 Apr 1914 in McGee United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sampson, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary L Caison
• Residence: 1880, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1900, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Burial: 27 Apr 1914, Caison Cemetery, Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Burial: 27 Apr 1914, Roseboro Cemetery, Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Living + Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1810, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1 Jun 1840, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Occupation: 1 Aug 1850; Miller
• Residence: 1 Aug 1850, Northern District, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Occupation: 7 Jul 1860; Cooper
• Residence: 7 Jul 1860, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Occupation: 15 Jun 1870; Cooper
• Residence: 15 Jun 1870, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

!Land: Date of deed: January 3, 1831 Sampson County, North Carolina Deed Book Registered: 18th of April 1839 Grantor: Hillary Cason, Senr Grantee: Hillary Cason, Junr., Son Witnesses: John Cason and William Fryer Acreage: 50 acres Consideration: love and affection Description: "a certain tract or parcel of land lying on the west side of Six Runs and joining Matthew Bass's and William Gurley's (?) land containing fifty acres ---somemore or less."
!Land: Date of deed: December 22, 1842 Sampson County, North Carolina Deed Book 27, p. 137 Registered: April 12, 1843 Grantor: Hilory Caison Grantee: John T. Molton Witnesses: John Cason, Neill Campbell Acreage: 65 Consideration: $325 Description: west side of Six runs and west side of Abram's Branch beginning at a stake on the run of said branch on J.(?) Molton's own line thence with his line S 31 W 75 pole to a pine then N ? W? pole to a pine (dead) then N 60 W 112 poles to ??? then N 60 E 57 poles to a pine John Sikes corner thence his line N37 E ?? poles to black gum in Abram's Branch thence down the branch as it meanders to the beginning.
!Land: Date of deed: February 21, 1839 Sampson County, North Carolina Deed Book 27, p. 199 Registered: July 13, 1843 Grantor: Hilery Caison Grantee: John T. Molton Witnesses:Jacob Caison, Thomas K.(?) Bennett Acreage: 29 1/4 acres Consideration: $146.25 Description: on the west side of Six Runs, it being part of the tract on which the said Caison now lives- beginning at a pine Molton's own corner thence his line S 36 W 6? poles to a pine near a pond thence S60 E 67 poles to a large pine thence the dividing line N 60 E 57 poles to a pine at the edge of a pond on Sikes line thence his line to the beginning.
!Land: Date of deed: May 7, 1844 Sampson County, North Carolina Deed Book 27, p459 Registered: October 12, 1844 Grantor: John, Hillary, and Jacob Cason, also Ann Jane Chesnutt and Elizabeth Caison Grantee: John Sikes Witnesses: John Caison, Robert D. Chesnutt Acreage: 41 1/2 Consideration: $249 Description: on the north side of Abram's Branch beginning at a maple on the run of Abram's Branch John Molton's corner thence his line N 30 E 139 poles to a lightwood stump formerly a pine William Fryar's corner thence with Fryar's line N 57 W 43 poles to a light knot in a pond thence with Sikes own line S 55 W 80 poles to the run of Abram's Branch thence down the run of sd. Abram's Branch as it meanders to the beginning.
!Will: 17 March 1849 John Sikes wills 41 1/2 acres "known as Caison & Chesnutt land" to daughter Elizabeth Underwood. Also, wills 50 acres "bought from Doctor Thomas Bunting known as the John Caison place." Source: Sampson County Wills 1784-1900, abstracted by Elizabeth E. Ross
!Land: Date of lease: February 8, 1845 Sampson County, North Carolina Deed Book 28, p. 125 Registered: June 30, 1845 Leasor: Hilory Caison Leasee: Nancy Brewington, a colored woman Witnesses: Peyton R. Parker Acreage: 1 acre Consideration: $.50 (fifty cents) Description: on the west side of the road leading from Clinton to Taylor's Bridge and adjoining the lands of John McArther
On 2 APR 1989, J. P. Caison checked in the Roseboro, North Carolina Cemetery and found the graves of the following. 1. Nancy Boon Caison "wife of H. Caison" 2. H. Caison The birth dates and death dates for Hillary and Nancy Boon come from tombstone records. SOURCE: Susan Caison Sharp

Hillery + Nancy Ann Boon. Nancy (daughter of Thomas Boon and Mary Price) was born on 7 May 1818 in Sampson, North Carolina, USA; died on 20 Apr 1898 in Sampson, North Carolina, USA; was buried in Roseboro Cemetery, Roseboro, Sampson, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Ann
• Name: Nancy Ann Caison
• Name: Nancy Ann Caison
• Residence: 1 Aug 1850, Northern District, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 7 Jul 1860, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 15 Jun 1870, Little Coharie, Sampson, North Carolina, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Josiah Underwood

Jacob + Mary Jane Parker. Mary (daughter of John C Parker and Rachel Butler) was born in 1826 in Sampson, North Carolina, USA; died on 9 Apr 1886; was buried in McGee United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sampson, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary J Parker
• Name: Mary Jane Underwood