Chlora Lawrence: Everything to Know About Martin Lawrence’s Mother

Chlora Lawrence was the mother of famous actor and comedian Martin Lawrence. Her son became a big Hollywood star. But Chlora lived a simple life. She stayed away from fame and gave most of her time to her family.

Her life was not always easy. She raised six children and worked hard to care for them. After her first marriage ended she had more work to do at home. She stayed strong and kept her family moving forward.

There is much more to know about Chlora Lawrence. Her story includes her childhood and school life. It also includes marriage and motherhood. We will also see how she helped Martin during his early years.

Who Is Chlora Lawrence?

Chlora Lawrence was born as Chlora Bailey on July 24 1930. She was born in Brevard North Carolina. Her parents were Rock Kilgore and Marjorie Bailey. She was American and is often described as African-American.

Her full name later became Chlora Bailey Lawrence-Crandell. She was a Christian. Some websites say she was 5 feet 8 inches tall. This height is only a reported number since there is no strong public record to prove it.

Chlora worked as a cashier and sales worker. She had six children. Martin Lawrence became her most famous child. Chlora died on August 28 2008. She was 78 years old when she died.

Chlora Lawrence Early Life

Chlora Lawrence was born on July 24 1930. She grew up in Brevard North Carolina. Her early life was simple. Hollywood was not part of her world. She was just a young girl growing up with her family.

Her father was Rock Kilgore. Her mother was Marjorie Bailey. Chlora grew up with Christian faith around her. Faith stayed important to her as she became older and faced many changes in her life.

As a young girl Chlora had her own hopes for the future. She did not know that one of her children would become a famous star. She was focused on school and building a good life for herself.

Chlora Lawrence Education

Chlora went to Lincoln Academy in Kings Mountain North Carolina. She finished school there in 1949. School was important to her. She wanted to use what she learned to build a good future.

Chlora once wanted to become a teacher. She liked the idea of helping children learn. But life later took her in another way. Marriage and raising her own children became a big part of her life.

She never became known as a school teacher. Still she spent many years teaching her own children about life. She helped guide them as they grew. Martin was one of the children who learned from her.

Chlora Lawrence and John Lawrence

Chlora later moved to New York. Her mother was living there at the time. During this part of her life Chlora became close to John Lawrence. The two already knew each other before their love story began.

Chlora married John on July 31 1959. John worked in the United States military. His job meant the family had to move at times. Chlora had to build a home while dealing with these changes.

Their marriage later ended in divorce. This was a hard change for the whole family. Chlora had several children who needed her. She had to work and care for them while building a new life.

Chlora Lawrence Children and Family

Chlora Lawrence became the mother of six children. Martin Lawrence was one of them. He was born on April 16 1965 in Frankfurt Germany. His father was serving in the military when Martin was born there.

Martin also had brothers and sisters. Some members of the Lawrence family stayed private. They did not become famous like Martin. Chlora tried to care for all her children and give them what they needed.

Raising six children was a big job. They needed food and clothes. They also needed love and care. Chlora had many things to handle each day. Her family became one of the biggest parts of her life.

Raising Martin Lawrence

Martin was still young when his parents split up. His life changed after that. Chlora became one of the main people caring for him. She worked hard to support Martin and his brothers and sisters.

Martin was not rich or famous during those years. He was simply a young boy growing up in Maryland. His mother worked to pay the bills and keep the family going. Life could be hard but Chlora did not give up.

Martin later became one of the best known comedy stars of his time. Before that happened his mother helped guide him. She gave him a home where his funny side could slowly begin to grow.

How Chlora Lawrence Helped Martin’s Comedy

Chlora Lawrence has a sweet link to Martin’s early comedy. Martin remembered his mother coming home tired from work. He could see that she had worked hard all day. He wanted to make her feel happy.

Martin would try to make his mother laugh. He used jokes and his funny nature to cheer her up. At that time he had no big stage. His mother was one of his first and most important audiences.

Those simple moments may have helped Martin see the power of laughter. Years later millions of people watched him perform. But before all that fame he was a young boy trying to put a smile on his mother’s face.

Chlora Lawrence Career and Hard Work

Chlora Lawrence worked hard to care for her family. After her first marriage ended she had six children who needed support. She could not sit and wait for help. She went to work and did what she could.

Chlora worked as a sales worker and cashier. Reports say she worked at different stores. These were normal jobs but they were very important. The money helped her pay for food and other needs at home.

Her work also became part of Martin’s early story. Martin remembered his mother coming home tired. He would try to make her laugh. Those small moments show how work and family came together in the Lawrence home.

Chlora Lawrence and Edward Crandell

Life later brought Chlora Lawrence another chance at love. She had a long bond with Edward Crandell. The two were together for many years before they chose to make their relationship official through marriage.

Chlora and Edward married on January 4 2003. By this time Chlora was much older. Her children were adults and Martin had already become a major star. This was a very different time from her busy years raising six children.

Her name later appeared as Chlora Bailey Lawrence-Crandell. She and Edward shared her later years together. Chlora still stayed away from Hollywood attention. Family and faith remained more important parts of her life.

Chlora Lawrence Net Worth and Lifestyle

Some people search for Chlora Lawrence’s net worth because Martin became very rich. One online report puts her net worth near $350000. However there are no clear public money records that prove this number.

For this reason the $350000 figure should only be called an online guess. Chlora made her own living through normal jobs. Her money should also not be mixed up with the large amount Martin later earned from his career.

Chlora seemed to enjoy a private life. She was not known for showing off costly homes or cars. She was better known as a mother who worked hard. Her family story tells us much more about her than an unsure money figure.

Chlora Lawrence Death and Burial

Chlora Lawrence died on August 28 2008. She had turned 78 only a little more than one month before her death. Her passing brought an end to a long life filled with family and many years of hard work.

The cause of her death was not shared with the public. Because of this it would be wrong to guess what happened. There is no need to make up an answer when Chlora and her family kept this part private.

Some reports say Chlora was buried at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Maryland. Her death came years after she had watched Martin build a huge career. She had also lived long enough to see her family grow into a new generation.

Martin Lawrence’s Tribute to Chlora Lawrence

Martin Lawrence did not forget his mother after her death. Years later he continued to share his love for her. One touching example came on July 24 2020. It would have been Chlora Lawrence’s 90th birthday.

Martin shared old photos of himself with his mother. His message made it clear that she still meant a lot to him. He said his family would not be there without her and used the day to celebrate her life.

Think about how much had changed since Martin was a little boy making his tired mother laugh. He had become a Hollywood star. Yet his loving birthday message showed that his bond with Chlora was still close to his heart.

Final Thoughts

Chlora Lawrence did not need a movie career to leave a strong mark. Her biggest story was her family. She raised six children and worked when money was needed. She kept going even when family life became hard.

Her link to Martin makes her story even more special. Before Martin made millions of fans laugh he was making his mother smile at home. Chlora was there before the fame and before his biggest movies reached theaters.

In 2026 people still search for Chlora because they want to know more about Martin’s family. Her story gives fans a look at the woman who helped raise him. It also shows the hard work behind one famous family.

(FAQs)

How old was Chlora Lawrence and when was her birthday?

Chlora Lawrence was born on July 24 1930. She was 78 years old when she died in 2008.

What was Chlora Lawrence’s net worth?

Some websites say Chlora Lawrence had about $350000. However this amount is only an online estimate. It has not been proven by public money records.

What was Chlora Lawrence’s cause of death?

Chlora Lawrence died on August 28 2008. Her exact cause of death was never shared with the public.

Did Chlora Lawrence die before Martin Lawrence became famous?

Chlora lived to see Martin become a major Hollywood star. She saw his success in comedy and movies before she died in 2008.

How long did Chlora Lawrence live?

Chlora Lawrence lived for 78 years. She was born in 1930 and died in 2008. She passed away only about one month after her 78th birthday.

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