Lauren Elizabeth Hafford is the first born child of Gwen Sharp Hafford and John Steven Hafford. She was born at the Lake Wales Hospital on 17 February, 1977. She was delivered by William M. Hardman, M.D. Dr. Hardman would later deliver Lauren's two younger sisters.
Lauren attended Avon Elementary School, Avon Park Middle School and Avon Park High School. While in high school, Lauren was active in many clubs, including the Keyettes, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the Yearbook Staff, and Avon Park Broadcasting Network. She was a varsity cheerleader during all 4 years of high school, earning several varsity sports letters. She graduated from Avon Park High School in the top 10 percent of her class and earned a Bright Futures and Top 10% Scholarship to South Florida Community College. She planned to continue her education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, and hoped to become a lawyer. I know that Lauren was with us in spirit and was smiling down on us when her two sisters, Lindsay and Lesley, both graduated from FSU.
Lauren was a beautiful young lady, not only on the outside, but on the inside. She was a joy to know. Lauren was an intelligent, articulate young lady who had a sweet and gentle disposition and compassion for all beings. She loved animals, cooking, traveling, flowers, music and was an avid reader. Lauren loved to dance and excelled in tap and jazz as well as ballet. She had a natural ability and was blessed with gracefulness. Lauren had many friends and relatives who mourned her tragic and untimely death as the result of a domestic violence murder on 13 April, 1999. The day of her funeral was uncharacteristically cold and foggy, in direct contrast to the days preceeding the funeral. When the rain came, it seemed as if heaven was shedding tears for a life cut short.
Besides her parents, Lauren leaves behind two younger sisters: Lindsay Blair Hafford and Lesley Brooke Hafford; a maternal grandmother, Thelma Eloise Hill Sharpe; Uncles and Aunts: Edward Earl Sharpe, Jr.; Thomas Joseph Sharpe; Tania Stacey Sharpe Marrow; Patricia Gayle Hafford Lawrence; Charles "Chip" Lawrence; Maridale Hafford-Ray and Robert H. Ray. Lauren was pre-deceased by her beloved maternal grandfather, Edward E. Sharpe, Sr. and maternal great-grandmother Audrey Caraway Hill. There are many cousins and dear friends who will miss her quick wit and beautiful smile.
Lauren attended Avon Elementary School, Avon Park Middle School and Avon Park High School. While in high school, Lauren was active in many clubs, including the Keyettes, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the Yearbook Staff, and Avon Park Broadcasting Network. She was a varsity cheerleader during all 4 years of high school, earning several varsity sports letters. She graduated from Avon Park High School in the top 10 percent of her class and earned a Bright Futures and Top 10% Scholarship to South Florida Community College. She planned to continue her education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, and hoped to become a lawyer. I know that Lauren was with us in spirit and was smiling down on us when her two sisters, Lindsay and Lesley, both graduated from FSU.
Lauren was a beautiful young lady, not only on the outside, but on the inside. She was a joy to know. Lauren was an intelligent, articulate young lady who had a sweet and gentle disposition and compassion for all beings. She loved animals, cooking, traveling, flowers, music and was an avid reader. Lauren loved to dance and excelled in tap and jazz as well as ballet. She had a natural ability and was blessed with gracefulness. Lauren had many friends and relatives who mourned her tragic and untimely death as the result of a domestic violence murder on 13 April, 1999. The day of her funeral was uncharacteristically cold and foggy, in direct contrast to the days preceeding the funeral. When the rain came, it seemed as if heaven was shedding tears for a life cut short.
Besides her parents, Lauren leaves behind two younger sisters: Lindsay Blair Hafford and Lesley Brooke Hafford; a maternal grandmother, Thelma Eloise Hill Sharpe; Uncles and Aunts: Edward Earl Sharpe, Jr.; Thomas Joseph Sharpe; Tania Stacey Sharpe Marrow; Patricia Gayle Hafford Lawrence; Charles "Chip" Lawrence; Maridale Hafford-Ray and Robert H. Ray. Lauren was pre-deceased by her beloved maternal grandfather, Edward E. Sharpe, Sr. and maternal great-grandmother Audrey Caraway Hill. There are many cousins and dear friends who will miss her quick wit and beautiful smile.
Lauren Elizabeth Hafford is the first born child of Gwen Sharp Hafford and John Steven Hafford. She was born at the Lake Wales Hospital on 17 February, 1977. She was delivered by William M. Hardman, M.D. Dr. Hardman would later deliver Lauren's two younger sisters.
Lauren attended Avon Elementary School, Avon Park Middle School and Avon Park High School. While in high school, Lauren was active in many clubs, including the Keyettes, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the Yearbook Staff, and Avon Park Broadcasting Network. She was a varsity cheerleader during all 4 years of high school, earning several varsity sports letters. She graduated from Avon Park High School in the top 10 percent of her class and earned a Bright Futures and Top 10% Scholarship to South Florida Community College. She planned to continue her education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, and hoped to become a lawyer. I know that Lauren was with us in spirit and was smiling down on us when her two sisters, Lindsay and Lesley, both graduated from FSU.
Lauren was a beautiful young lady, not only on the outside, but on the inside. She was a joy to know. Lauren was an intelligent, articulate young lady who had a sweet and gentle disposition and compassion for all beings. She loved animals, cooking, traveling, flowers, music and was an avid reader. Lauren loved to dance and excelled in tap and jazz as well as ballet. She had a natural ability and was blessed with gracefulness. Lauren had many friends and relatives who mourned her tragic and untimely death as the result of a domestic violence murder on 13 April, 1999. The day of her funeral was uncharacteristically cold and foggy, in direct contrast to the days preceeding the funeral. When the rain came, it seemed as if heaven was shedding tears for a life cut short.
Besides her parents, Lauren leaves behind two younger sisters: Lindsay Blair Hafford and Lesley Brooke Hafford; a maternal grandmother, Thelma Eloise Hill Sharpe; Uncles and Aunts: Edward Earl Sharpe, Jr.; Thomas Joseph Sharpe; Tania Stacey Sharpe Marrow; Patricia Gayle Hafford Lawrence; Charles "Chip" Lawrence; Maridale Hafford-Ray and Robert H. Ray. Lauren was pre-deceased by her beloved maternal grandfather, Edward E. Sharpe, Sr. and maternal great-grandmother Audrey Caraway Hill. There are many cousins and dear friends who will miss her quick wit and beautiful smile.
Lauren attended Avon Elementary School, Avon Park Middle School and Avon Park High School. While in high school, Lauren was active in many clubs, including the Keyettes, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, the Yearbook Staff, and Avon Park Broadcasting Network. She was a varsity cheerleader during all 4 years of high school, earning several varsity sports letters. She graduated from Avon Park High School in the top 10 percent of her class and earned a Bright Futures and Top 10% Scholarship to South Florida Community College. She planned to continue her education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, and hoped to become a lawyer. I know that Lauren was with us in spirit and was smiling down on us when her two sisters, Lindsay and Lesley, both graduated from FSU.
Lauren was a beautiful young lady, not only on the outside, but on the inside. She was a joy to know. Lauren was an intelligent, articulate young lady who had a sweet and gentle disposition and compassion for all beings. She loved animals, cooking, traveling, flowers, music and was an avid reader. Lauren loved to dance and excelled in tap and jazz as well as ballet. She had a natural ability and was blessed with gracefulness. Lauren had many friends and relatives who mourned her tragic and untimely death as the result of a domestic violence murder on 13 April, 1999. The day of her funeral was uncharacteristically cold and foggy, in direct contrast to the days preceeding the funeral. When the rain came, it seemed as if heaven was shedding tears for a life cut short.
Besides her parents, Lauren leaves behind two younger sisters: Lindsay Blair Hafford and Lesley Brooke Hafford; a maternal grandmother, Thelma Eloise Hill Sharpe; Uncles and Aunts: Edward Earl Sharpe, Jr.; Thomas Joseph Sharpe; Tania Stacey Sharpe Marrow; Patricia Gayle Hafford Lawrence; Charles "Chip" Lawrence; Maridale Hafford-Ray and Robert H. Ray. Lauren was pre-deceased by her beloved maternal grandfather, Edward E. Sharpe, Sr. and maternal great-grandmother Audrey Caraway Hill. There are many cousins and dear friends who will miss her quick wit and beautiful smile.
Inscription
Front:
BELOVED DAUGHTER
AND SISTER
LAUREN ELIZABETH
HAFFORD
FEB. 17, 1977
APR. 13, 1999
Back:
SHE IS IN A PLACE WHERE
THERE ARE NO DAYS OR YEARS
WE ARE LEFT ON EARTH WITH
OUR SORROW AND OUR TEARS
WE THINK OF HER AS LIVING IN THE
HEARTS OF THOSE SHE TOUCHED
FOR NOTHING LOVED IS EVER LOST
AND SHE IS LOVED SO MUCH.
Gravesite Details
Lauren is buried next to her maternal grandparents, Edward E. Sharpe, Sr. and Eloise Hill Sharpe.
